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ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4157-9894

Access Type

Open Access Thesis

Document Type

thesis

Degree Program

Molecular & Cellular Biology

Degree Type

Master of Science (M.S.)

Year Degree Awarded

2023

Month Degree Awarded

September

Abstract

In the summer of 2022, a co-assembly of metagenome was created using the microbes found at Barres Woods in Harvard Forest. 14 samples were taken, and sample was split into the organic and mineral layer, which totals 28 Bulk MAGs. Within this Co-assembly, 4 different genomes were found which were designated with the phylum of FCPU426. Three of which were considered medium quality and one being assigned high quality. The novel phyla first appeared in NCBI and GTDB databases in June 2018. The name FCPU426 dates to 2010 and was named based on the 16s amplicon sequencing.

The novel phylum is shown to have common ancestors with the phyla of Goldbacteria and Firestonebacteria. Goldbacteria was determined to have the ability to break down cellulose to further enhance carbon cycling.

In this analysis of FCPU426, the taxonomy of the phyla will be further investigated. FCPU426 was then annotated to determine if any of the cellulase genes are shared between itself and Goldbacteria. Further annotations were done to spot any genes of interest that create any distinctions between any of its counterparts.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7275/35954516.0

First Advisor

Jeffery Blanchard

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