Four letter SEA-PHAGES code: LEHI
Location: Bethlehem, PA USA
Website: http://www.lehigh.edu/
Joined SEA-PHAGES: PHAGES Cohort 2 (started in 2009)
Buddy school: Carnegie Mellon University
Term type: None
Total SEA-PHAGES sections taught: 42
Total SEA-PHAGES students: 508
SEA Faculty
Primary Faculty Contact
vcw0@lehigh.edu
610-758-3690
Professor and HHMI Program Co-Director
Biological Sciences
SEA-PHAGES Faculty Members
SEA-GENES Faculty Members
vcw0@lehigh.edu
610-758-3690
Professor and HHMI Program Co-Director
Biological Sciences
Legal Contact
Cynthia J. Kane - Assistant Vice President
Tel: 610-758-3021
Email: cjk418@lehigh.edu
Academic Terms
Spring 2024
Start: Jan 22, 2024, End: May 03, 2024
PHAGES Sections in this Term
Bios043-60
Primary Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: In situ (phage discovery/microbiology)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 10
Freshmen: 10
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 6.0
Bios043-61
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: In situ (phage discovery/microbiology)
Hosts used: No host information yet.
Number of students: 11
Freshmen: 10
Seniors: 1
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 6.0
Fall 2023
Start: Aug 28, 2023, End: Dec 08, 2023
Annotation and in situ work
PHAGES Sections in this Term
BioS 043-010
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: In situ (phage discovery/microbiology)
Hosts used: No host information yet.
Number of students: 12
Freshmen: 12
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 6.0
BioS 118
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: In silico (phage genomics/bioinformatics)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 17
Sophomores: 17
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 6.0
Section will focus on annotation and in situ work.
Bios 118 -23, 60 and 61
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: In silico (phage genomics/bioinformatics)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 17
Sophomores: 17
Meetings per week: 2
2.5
BioS 318
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: Other
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 9
Juniors: 3
Seniors: 6
Meetings per week: 3
Hours per week: 10.0
Students follow up with experiments from SEA-GENES, new in situ work in microbiology and molecular biology, annotation work for new phage genomes
BioS 318
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: Other
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 12
Sophomores: 5
Juniors: 5
Seniors: 2
Meetings per week: 3
Hours per week: 10.0
BioS 43-011
Primary Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: In situ (phage discovery/microbiology)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 12
Freshmen: 12
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 6.0
Spring 2023
Start: Jan 23, 2023, End: May 05, 2023
phage hunting course
PHAGES Sections in this Term
BioS 43
Primary Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Additional Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: In situ (phage discovery/microbiology)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 18
Freshmen: 18
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 3.0
GENES Sections in this Term
BIOS 297
Primary Instructor: Michael Kuchka
Additional Instructor: Vassie Ware
Phage Used: Taptic
Number of students: 5
Sophomores: 5
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 3.0
BIOS 346
Primary Instructor: Michael Kuchka
Additional Instructor: Vassie Ware
Phage Used: Taptic
Number of students: 13
Juniors: 5
Seniors: 8
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 3.0
BIOS 346
Primary Instructor: Michael Kuchka
Additional Instructor: Vassie Ware
Phage Used: Taptic
Number of students: 13
Juniors: 5
Seniors: 8
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 3.0
Spring 2023
Start: Jan 23, 2023, End: May 05, 2023
BIOS 297 (SEA-GENES Laboratory) BIOS 346 (Molecular Genetics Laboratory) In both courses, we will be following the SEA-GENES Research Guide to characterize mycobacteriophage Taptic gene functions.
PHAGES Sections in this Term
No sections entered for this term yet
Fall 2022
Start: Aug 22, 2022, End: Dec 02, 2022
PHAGES Sections in this Term
BioS 118
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: Other
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 11
Sophomores: 11
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 5.0
Both in silico and in situ work are in this course
BioS 318
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Michael Kuchka
Type: Other
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 13
Sophomores: 2
Juniors: 4
Seniors: 7
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 10.0
Independent phage research includes in situ work from SEA-GENES, SEA-PHAGES, and in silico work
Spring Semester 2022
Start: Jan 24, 2022, End: May 06, 2022
PHAGES Sections in this Term
BioS 318
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: Other
Hosts used: No host information yet.
Number of students: 10
Sophomores: 4
Juniors: 6
phage discovery for some students, bioinformatics for others
BioS 43-010
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: In situ (phage discovery/microbiology)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 10
Freshmen: 10
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 5.5
BioS 43-011
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: In situ (phage discovery/microbiology)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 9
Freshmen: 9
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 5.5
GENES Sections in this Term
BIOS 346
Primary Instructor: Michael Kuchka
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Phage Used: Taptic
Number of students: 13
Sophomores: 1
Juniors: 7
Seniors: 5
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 2.6
Fall 2021
Start: Aug 23, 2021, End: Dec 03, 2021
Bioinformatics section with wet lab experimentation
PHAGES Sections in this Term
BioS 118 Phage Genetics Lab
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: In silico (phage genomics/bioinformatics)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 10
Sophomores: 10
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 5.5
Bioinformatics work: Annotation of two genomes from DOGEMS analyses Wet lab experiments also include: 1)PCR to determine which phages correspond to specific contigs in DOGEMS samples 2) preparation of lysogens using phages from in situ phage hunting course last semester 3) immunity testing of phages on newly made lysogens and other lysogens
BioS 318 Adv. Phage Genetics
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: Other
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 9
Juniors: 8
Seniors: 1
Meetings per week: 3
Hours per week: 10.0
students take this course for a variable number of credits (1-3) depending on the nature of the experiments undertaken. This is a hybrid course with wet lab experimentation and advanced bioinformatics analyses as well.
Spring 2021
Start: Feb 01, 2021, End: May 07, 2021
PHAGES Sections in this Term
BioS 318 Adv. Phage Genetics
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: Other
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 16
Sophomores: 6
Juniors: 3
Seniors: 7
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 10.0
This sections includes both bioinformatics and wet bench work, where students study contributions of specific genes to the lysogenic cycle of temperate phages and to immunity relationships between phages.
BioS 43: Phage Hunting
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: In situ (phage discovery/microbiology)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 11
Freshmen: 10
Sophomores: 1
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 5.5
Fall Semester 2020
Start: Aug 24, 2020, End: Nov 20, 2020
Due to COVID, classes will end the week prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.
PHAGES Sections in this Term
BioS 118
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: In silico (phage genomics/bioinformatics)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 16
Sophomores: 15
Juniors: 1
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 6.0
In addition to phage genomics and bioinformatics, there are additional microbiology experiments that will be pursued.
BioS 318
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: Other
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 8
Juniors: 5
Seniors: 3
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 6.0
In situ and in silico work is pursued by students in this course.
Fall semester 2019
Start: Aug 26, 2019, End: Dec 06, 2019
PHAGES Sections in this Term
Adv Phage Genetics/BioS 318
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: Other
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 6
Juniors: 3
Seniors: 3
Meetings per week: 3
Hours per week: 10.0
Phage Genetics Bios118
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: In silico (phage genomics/bioinformatics)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 15
Sophomores: 15
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 5.0
Spring Semester 2019
Start: Jan 21, 2019, End: May 03, 2019
PHAGES Sections in this Term
BioS043
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: In situ (phage discovery/microbiology)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 18
Freshmen: 18
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 2.6
Fall 2018
Start: Aug 27, 2018, End: Dec 07, 2018
PHAGES Sections in this Term
Advanced Phage genetic
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: Other
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 8
Juniors: 2
Seniors: 6
independent research students register for 1-3 credits
Phage Genetics BioS 118
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: In silico (phage genomics/bioinformatics)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 6
Sophomores: 6
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 6.0
Two students in this section did not take the hunting portion so they will hunt in natoriense.
Spring 2018
Start: Jan 22, 2018, End: May 04, 2018
PHAGES Sections in this Term
BioS 043 Phage Hunting
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: In situ (phage discovery/microbiology)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 12
Freshmen: 11
Sophomores: 1
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 6.0
Also hunting with Microbacterium natoriense.
BioS 318 Advance Phage Genetic
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: Other
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 10
Sophomores: 1
Juniors: 8
Seniors: 1
Meetings per week: 3
Hours per week: 10.0
also using host, Streptomyces griseus. Students carry out independent research projects, including genome annotation, immunity studies, phage genome mutagenesis, RNAseq analysis, phage hunting in new hosts, etc.
Fall Semester 2017
Start: Aug 28, 2017, End: Dec 08, 2017
PHAGES Sections in this Term
Adv. Phage Genetics/BioS 396
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: Other
Hosts used: Streptomyces griseus
Number of students: 11
Sophomores: 1
Juniors: 7
Seniors: 3
Meetings per week: 3
Hours per week: 10.0
Students (sophomores, juniors, and seniors) in this course continue phage research after completing the year-long phage courses (started in their freshman year and continued into the sophomore year). This advanced course includes both microbiology and bioinformatics, depending on the individual interests of the students. Phage hunting may also be included using different hosts other than Mycobacterium smegmatis (e.g., Gordonia, Microbacterium, and Streptomyces).
Phage Genetics Lab/BioS 118
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: In silico (phage genomics/bioinformatics)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 10
Sophomores: 10
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 6.0
Lehigh does phage hunting in the spring semester. The spring phage hunting course substitutes for the first core laboratory course required in the biology curriculum, taken by freshmen. The fall semester course is dedicated to phage genomics and additional microbiology laboratory experiments. This course substitutes for the second required core lab course in the biology curriculum. Sophomores are typically enrolled in this course.
Spring 2017
Start: Jan 23, 2017, End: May 05, 2017
PHAGES Sections in this Term
BioS 396 Adv Phage Res Lab
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: Other
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 11
Sophomores: 7
Seniors: 4
Meetings per week: 3
Hours per week: 10.0
BioS 43 Phage Hunting Lab
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: In situ (phage discovery/microbiology)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 16
Freshmen: 16
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 6.0
Fall semester 2016
Start: Aug 29, 2016, End: Dec 02, 2016
PHAGES Sections in this Term
BioS 118 Phage Genetics Lab
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: Other
Hosts used: Streptomyces griseus
Number of students: 26
Sophomores: 26
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 6.0
BioS 396 Advanced Phage Lab
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: Other
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 6
Juniors: 6
Meetings per week: 3
Hours per week: 10.0
Students undertake independent phage research based on work uncovered in the yearlong phage courses.
Spring Semester 2016
Start: Jan 25, 2016, End: May 06, 2016
PHAGES Sections in this Term
BIOS-043-060, 061-SP16-Phage H
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: In situ (phage discovery/microbiology)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 24
Freshmen: 23
Sophomores: 1
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 6.0
bios396Advanced phage research
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: Other
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 7
Sophomores: 1
Juniors: 3
Seniors: 3
Fall 2015
Start: Aug 24, 2015, End: Dec 04, 2015
PHAGES Sections in this Term
BioS 118
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: Other
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 16
Sophomores: 16
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 6.0
BioS118 Phage Genetics
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: In silico (phage genomics/bioinformatics)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 16
Sophomores: 16
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 6.0
bios396Advanced phage research
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: Other
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 6
Juniors: 3
Seniors: 3
Spring Semester 2015
Start: Jan 12, 2015, End: May 01, 2015
PHAGES Sections in this Term
Bios 391-25: Independent Phage
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: Other
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 10
Sophomores: 6
Juniors: 3
Seniors: 1
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 10.0
Collaborative and independent research on mycobacteriophages Butters, Sneeze, and K cluster phages. Phage hunting for Rhodococcus phages.
BioS095
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: In situ (phage discovery/microbiology)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 17
Freshmen: 17
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 6.0
Fall Semester 2014
Start: Aug 25, 2014, End: Dec 05, 2014
BioS 118 Phage Genetics Laboratory
PHAGES Sections in this Term
BioS 118-10
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Additional Instructor: Margaret Kenna
Type: In silico (phage genomics/bioinformatics)
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis, Rhodococcus erythropolis, Arthrobacter sp.
Number of students: 11
Sophomores: 11
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 6.0
Note that the first semester of Lehigh's SEA-PHAGES course (in situ: phage hunting) is offered in the spring semester to first year students. The second course (annotation and independent research projects) is offered to sophomores (and others) who continue from the previous spring semester. No sequencing is expected for this section. Instead sequencing will be performed during the summer 2015 after the spring in situ semester. Number of in situ sections for Spring 2015 will be determined by January 2015.
BioS 391-25 Independent Phage
Primary Instructor: Vassie Ware
Type: Other
Hosts used: Mycobacterium smegmatis
Number of students: 5
Juniors: 4
Seniors: 1
Meetings per week: 2
Hours per week: 10.0
Collaborative and independent research on phage Butters to uncover functions of novel phage genes. No sequencing is expected for this section.
Institution Addresses
Current Mailing Address
Vassie Ware
Lehigh University
111 Research Drive
B217 Iacocca Hall
Bethlehem, PA 18015
USA
Current Shipping Address
Vassie Ware
Lehigh University
111 Research Drive
B217 Iacocca Hall
Bethlehem, PA 18015
USA