Johnathon Schiebel 

In the Hatfull lab, my research concerns isolating new bacteriophages that infect the BSL-2 host Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Any phages found will be characterized through genome sequencing, and will be tested for host range on other Corynebacterium species. I am also attempting to test the host range of existing phages on Mycobacterium tuberculosis mc27000. Another project I am exploring is phage-host defense mechanisms. I am currently working to generate defense escape mutant phages of TM4, Gaia, and DeadP on the Phrann lysogen. This short project experience will translate into exploring phage-host defense mechanisms in lysogens of Gordonia terrae phages, many of which possess candidate genes between their lysis and integration cassettes that could allow defense against infection from other phages. Any phages that show this phenotype will be further investigated. 

Johnathon is a junior molecular biology major that will graduate in the spring of 2018. He plans to attend graduate school and pursue a degree in Immunology.  

Johnathon can be reached at:

Department of Biological Sciences
4249 5th Avenue
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 624 6976

jgs31@pitt.edu