The Quantification and Standardization of Viral Particle Detection

Date of Award

4-22-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Biological Science

First Reader

Dr. Nathan Reyna

Second Reader

Dr. Ruth Plymale

Third Reader

Dr. Chris Brune

Abstract

MicroRNAs are biomarkers for various clinical uses such as diagnosis, prognosis, treatment plans, disease risks, and progression. To better understand the implication and application of microRNAs, bacteriophage RNA was amplified and quantified to obtain quantitative plasmid data rather than a virion basis. While plasmid isolation may be an extensive process, phage plasmid quantification produces reliable results and, therefore, can be used to create a standard of comparison. By standardizing this process, future phage analysis will have more statistical relevance, less quantification variance due to lysate factors, and the quality of the experiment can be assessed against the universal standard. Experimental techniques include plasmid amplification through the growth and isolation of competent E. coli cells, plasmid purification, and quantitative PCR procedure and analysis. The standardization results of the experiment were inconclusive due to various factors, including negative control amplification, technical error regarding annealing temperatures, and lack of stability testing.

Comments

This thesis is currently embargoed until May 2029.

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