Evento

Biology Phage Camp Summer 2023

The Webster University Department of Biological Sciences is offering a one-week, full-day intensive summer day camp studying the microbiology of bacteriophages (phages). Phages are everywhere; they are tiny viruses that attack bacteria specifically but do not harm humans. Bacteria are also everywhere, and although some rare strains are harmful to humans, the vast majority of bacteria in the natural, outdoor world are harmless. We take our students throughout the college campus and our nearby community to collect soil and/or water samples in search of novel phages. We bring the soil and water back to the lab and teach the students how to purify these tiny viruses from the environmental samples. We then test our newly discovered phages in the lab for their ability to kill various bacterial strains. We use only benign species of bacteria, of which we have many strains in our lab. Throughout the week, students learn about viral lifecycles, bacterial host preferences, and the molecular structure of phages, to better understand the invisible virome that exists in nature. Students gain experience with useful field and microbiological lab techniques, study how phages are used in health and medicine, and actively contribute to real, novel research in discovering new bacteriophage lines. Ultimately, students get the rare opportunity to participate in real research closely mentored by college professors in their field of expertise.

The summer camp will run M-F, July 17th-21st, 2023.
Check-in begins at 8:45 AM, camp is in session 9 AM - 3:30 PM, with pickup hopefully done by 3:45 PM.
A daily break for lunch will allow the students to enjoy free boxed lunches, or they may purchase a choice of foods from the universitys Marlettos cafe.
Parking will be free in the Webster University parking garage.

Camp tuition is $350/per student. Scholarship options are available, please email csh@webster.edu for information. Up to 20 participants will be accepted into the program on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to rising sophomores to seniors who have an interest in biology or biological sciences.