SEA-PHAGES Logo

The official website of the HHMI Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science program.

The SEA-PHAGES Program

SEA-PHAGES (Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science) is a two-semester, discovery-based undergraduate research course that begins with simple digging in the soil to find new viruses, but progresses through a variety of microbiology techniques and eventually to complex genome annotation and bioinformatic analyses.

The program aims to increase undergraduate interest and retention in the biological sciences through immediate immersion in authentic, valuable, yet accessible research. By finding and naming their own bacteriophages, students develop a sense of project ownership and have a ready-made personal research project at a fraction of the cost of traditional apprentice-based research programs. Some of the positive effects of the SEA-PHAGES program have been reported here.

SEA-PHAGES is jointly administered by Graham Hatfull's group at the University of Pittsburgh and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science Education division.

SEA-PHAGES IN THE NEWS

  • Thumbnail for Young Māori scientist discovers virus

    Young Māori scientist discovers virus

    Rukuwai Tipene-Allen

    Māori Television | April 22, 2018

    Young, Māori scientist Anezka Hoskins has discovered a new virus and is hopeful that it will spark curiosity amongst Māori to push boundaries of knowledge.read more

    Related institution: Massey University

  • Thumbnail for  Steele commended by Nobel Prize winner for her work

    Steele commended by Nobel Prize winner for her work

    Barbara Phillips

    Archer County News | April 21, 2016

    It is not often that a freshman in college is approached and commended for research by a Nobel Prize winner, but that is exactly what happened to Archer City graduate, London Steele, now a freshman at Baylor University....read more

    Related institution: Baylor University

  • Thumbnail for Austin Peay’s ‘phage hunters’ join front lines of medical research

    Austin Peay’s ‘phage hunters’ join front lines of medical research

    Brian Dunn

    The Leaf Chronicle | Nov. 19, 2019

    The 10 Austin Peay State University students in Dr. Sergei Markov’s junior- and senior-level biology classes this semester are taking advantage of a unique research opportunity that could help lead to medical breakthroughs.read more

    Related institution: Austin Peay State University

  • Thumbnail for This scientific paper has 2,863 authors. How?

    This scientific paper has 2,863 authors. How?

    Danielle Wiener-Bronner

    Fusion | May 12, 2015

    The scientific journal eLife published a paper on viruses last month—specifically, the genetics of bacteriophages: viruses that infect, and replicate within, bacteria. By sequencing the genomes of individual bacteriophages, or phages, the authors were able to glean information about the genetic makeup of the viruses more broadly.... read more

  • Thumbnail for Round Rock Cedar Ridge grad earns scientific honor

    Round Rock Cedar Ridge grad earns scientific honor

    Mike Schoeffel

    Austin American-Statesman | Feb. 28, 2017

    Isabel Delwel, a junior at the University of North Texas, was chosen to participate in the 2017 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Exceptional Research Opportunities Program. One of Delwel’s professor’s, Dr. Lee Hughes, encouraged Delwel to apply for a spot in the program.read more

    Related institution: University of North Texas

  • Thumbnail for Biology 2.0

    Biology 2.0

    Andrea Gaul

    Baylor Arts & Sciences Magazine | May 9, 2017

    Baylor University has implemented a new kind of introductory biology lab that has proven successful in keeping students excited and engaged through hands-on research.read more

    Related institution: Baylor University

  • Thumbnail for Freshman find

    Freshman find

    Kyrie O'Connor

    Houston Chronicle | Oct. 15, 2016

    Brian Blake Maxfeldt likes science just fine, but he didn't go to college expecting to make a discovery his first year. Nevertheless, Maxfeldt, who goes by Blake and graduated from Morton Ranch High School in Katy, discovered a virus that nobody had ever seen before.read more

    Related institution: LeTourneau University

  • Thumbnail for Undergraduate phage hunters showcase research in University Libraries exhibit

    Undergraduate phage hunters showcase research in University Libraries exhibit

    Alec Masella

    Virginia Tech Library News | April 3, 2018

    From local soil to a global database, new viruses have been uncovered, analyzed, and recorded by undergraduate researchers in Virginia Tech’s College of Science.read more

    Related institution: Virginia Tech

  • Thumbnail for Durham Tech students present research at national symposium

    Durham Tech students present research at national symposium

    Charlton Budd

    Chapelboro.com | June 27, 2016

    Two Durham Tech students were given the chance to present their research at a national symposium earlier this month. Qina Mo and Peter Said presented their research describing the isolation and characterization of two viruses that infect bacteria at the 8th annual SEA-PHAGES Symposium...read more

    Related institution: Durham Technical Community College

  • Thumbnail for Bio major considered dream come true for department

    Bio major considered dream come true for department

    Melanie Greenberg

    Loquitor—Cabrini College Student Media | March 5, 2011

    Surrounded by only her thoughts and glass beekers, one Cabrini student spends much of her time diligently working in the Iadarola Science Center. Katie Mageeney, senior biology major and math and chemistry minor, is anything but an average student. “Katie is definitely dedicated to her lab work,”...read more

    Related institutions: Cabrini University | Lehigh University

  • Thumbnail for Queens University student discovers a virus strain

    Queens University student discovers a virus strain

    Reid Creager

    The Charlotte Observer | April 16, 2016

    Sydney Dishman’s new pet isn’t cute and certainly isn’t something you’d want to cuddle with. But she feels good just thinking about it. Her “pet” is named Rex16, after the Queens University of Charlotte mascot and her year of graduation. Rex16 is a bacteriophage species she discovered while completing her honors research thesis, investigating bacteriophages in local soil samples....read more

    Related institution: Queens University of Charlotte

  • Thumbnail for Ibadan Bacteriophage Research Team: A SEA-PHAGES team with a difference

    Ibadan Bacteriophage Research Team: A SEA-PHAGES team with a difference

    Tolulope Oduselu and Olubusuyi Adewumi

    Capsid Tail | Nov. 20, 2020

    A team of 8 biomedical science researchers at the University of Ibadan, led by Prof. O. G. Ademowo, envisioned new opportunities to foster early career research participation for young undergraduate students. To achieve this goal, the University of Ibadan was enlisted as a cohort institution in the SEA-PHAGES project, an early-career research initiative of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Graham Hatfull Research group at the University of Pittsburgh.read more

    Related institution: University of Ibadan

  • Thumbnail for Going viral: C of I students attend HHMI symposium

    Going viral: C of I students attend HHMI symposium

    The College of Idaho—Student News | Aug. 4, 2015

    Jetblade. The name might sound like the newest Marvel superhero to hit the big screen, but it’s actually the newest bacterial virus analyzed by College of Idaho students....read more

    Related institution: College of Idaho

  • Thumbnail for Issue #1 of PHAMILIA Journal

    Issue #1 of PHAMILIA Journal

    PHAMILIA | Nov. 1, 2021

    The Ibadan Bacteriophage Research Team, an undergraduate SEA-PHAGES team at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria announces the launch of its first journal issue PHAMILIA. This is the very first undergraduate research journal focused on bacteriophage biology. It showcases all student and faculty team members of the team, as well as publications on diverse subjects of bacteriophage biology from the team and other guest writers.read more

    Related institution: University of Ibadan

  • Thumbnail for Students "Hunt" - and Discover - Bacteria-killing viruses

    Students "Hunt" - and Discover - Bacteria-killing viruses

    CSU CONNects | Nov. 15, 2016

    “The goal of the course, part of a national pedagogical program, is to get students doing research early, so they can see what it’s like and learn the scientific process,” explains Dr. Edgington, Associate Professor of Biology.read more

    Related institution: Southern Connecticut State University

Message in a Bottle, issue 9

The new issue of Message in a Bottle is available! Download it here.

SEA Genome Announcment Workflow

Dear SEA Faculty,

We’re thrilled that you’ve signed up for the workflow to write a genome announcement this year as part of your SEA-PHAGES course. We’re writing to share a few things that you should note:

1. Template:
Please download the latest version of the QUBES resource for writing an MRA. This resource is updated each year based on feedback and, this year, uses a new template format. Here is a direct link to the updated QUBES resource: https://qubeshub.org/publications/2038/4

New Genome Announcement Template


2. SRA Number
In addition to a GenBank accession number, you will need to include the accession number to a Sequence Read Archive (SRA) for any phage included in your manuscript. The SEA Team will prepare your SRA for you once you’ve requested for it using the following form. Typically, the SRA should become available at NCBI within a month of your request. We recommend requesting the SRA as soon as possible: https://forms.gle/L8EuKaY7e2dc5PJN9

3. Publication fees

The SEA Team is still in the process of negotiating discounted publication fees for those of you who do not have access to funds for the regular publication fee. We will provide an update when we have more information. For now, we intend for all genome announcement manuscripts that you write to first be internally peer-reviewed by the SEA (through the workflow) and to then be submitted to BioRxiv, a pre-print server that hosts manuscripts that become indexed and searchable on PubMed. Once in BioRxiv, manuscripts can then be easily submitted to MRA.

4. Internal Review

When you are ready to submit your manuscript for "internal review" by the SEA program, please email your manuscript and figures to info@seaphages.org with the subject line "Genome Announcement Manuscript for Review". We anticipate beginning the process of internal review in May. If you need your manuscript reviewed sooner, please let us know.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to Vic Sivanathan (sea@hhmi.org). Excited to support you and your students publish your discoveries!

 

The SEA Team.

 

 

 

2023 SEA Symposium FAQ

Below are some guidelines to help you and your students prepare for the upcoming symposium. These include guidelines for:

 

IMPORTANT DATES
March 21, 2023:          Deadline to register for the Symposium.
March 21, 2023:          Deadline for abstract submission.
March 23, 2023:          Those selected to give talks will be notified.
April 13, 2023:               Deadline to upload Posters and Poster-videos to the symposium website.
April 14 – 16, 2023:     Attend the symposium.

 

REGISTRATION

Who should register?
All SEA faculty, and all SEA student-researchers from the 2022 - 2023 academic year, are invited to register and attend the 2023 SEA symposium.

How do I register?
All SEA faculty members will receive instructions and a registration link by email on March 6, 2023. You will be asked to forward a registration email to your students. Registration will close March 21, 2023.
 

ABSTRACTS & POSTERS

Who should submit abstracts and posters?
SEA Faculty are responsible for submitting all abstracts and posters. Poster abstracts will be submitted via the seaphages.org program website (See link within your institution's homepage on seaphages.org), whereas the final posters will be uploaded to the symposium meeting website. Instructions for abstract and poster submissions are provided below.

How many posters should be submitted?
We encourage each section of SEA students to submit one poster that describes their SEA research from the 2022 – 2023 academic year. If your school has multiple SEA sections, PHAGES or GENES, you may choose to submit one poster for each section or research project, or you can choose to submit one poster that summarizes the work of many sections or projects. Faculty are also welcomed to submit posters describing SEA-related research that goes beyond their PHAGES and GENES courses.

What is the format for each poster?
Posters should be prepared to be used in two ways, and both are due by April 13, 2023.

  • For a live presentation: Posters should be prepared as a single Powerpoint slide using the following template, and saved as a PDF file. During the poster session, presenters will refer to this single slide PDF when presenting.
    Download the Poster Template and Example here.
  • For asynchronous viewing:  With hundreds of posters being presented, not everyone will be able to visit your poster during the poster session. As such, we ask that you also prepare a 5-minute video recording of the author(s) presenting their poster. This recording will be uploaded to the symposium site ahead of the symposium so that all "video-posters" are available throughout the meeting. Please add closed captioning to your video. Video software like Zoom can be used to both record the presentation and add closed captioning.

What should I include in my abstract(s) and poster(s)?
Given that the symposium will happen during your ongoing research semester, we recognize that posters will likely feature a project that is a “work in progress”. This is a great opportunity for you to discuss your research with your SEA colleagues and get feedback to inform your ongoing research. Therefore, we encourage you to include the following items in your poster, adding or subtracting from this list as you see fit.

i. goal(s) of your project(s),
ii. methodology, especially if it includes techniques that are not core to the SEA projects,
iii. findings, whether they be complete data figures or early observations,
iv. research or questions that will be explored next, in the remainder of the semester or beyond,
v. questions related to your research that the SEA community (i.e., poster attendees) might be able to provide insight on.
vi. and of course, the usual poster items such as your school logo, poster title, and author information.

Your abstract will represent a summary of what will be included in your poster and can primarily focus on items i, iii, iv from the list below. There is a 3,000 character-limit for abstracts.

What is the format for the poster session?

The poster sessions will be live sessions hosted in Gathertown, which is a virtual space designed as a yacht where participants can move around using the arrow keys on their keyboard and can connect with others via video and audio based on proximity.

In this virtual space, each submitted poster will have an assigned space, and a poster presenter should stand by their poster. As an attendee walks up to a poster, their video and audio will connect with the poster presenter. A link at each poster allows the attendee and presenter to both view the single poster slide at the same time. A video tutorial about the yacht and the poster session will be provided soon.

Here are a couple of additional logistics.

  • Each poster should be co-presented by an instructor and student.
  • The poster session on Saturday will be for even-numbered posters, whereas the poster session on Sunday will be for odd-numbered posters.  Poster presenters can locate their poster number on the Symposium meeting site (Whova platform), and should then plan to present at their respective poster session.

Here are a couple of recommendations.

  • While any individual student is unlikely to be able to visit all the posters being presented during the dedicated poster sessions, collectively your group of students may be able to. Much the same way in which a few members of a lab who attend a scientific meeting return to share the science they learned with the rest of the lab, we encourage you to consider organizing a post-symposium lab group meeting where your students can share with the group what they each learned from the various posters they attended. If you are considering implementing this, it may be worth informing students of your plans before they attend the symposium.
  • Since all symposium attendees will continue to have access to the symposium meeting site for several months after the symposium is over, we encourage you to consider engaging your students with the various video-posters, particularly those that were not on the same yacht as your students, as part of their ongoing PHAGES and GENES research.


How do I submit my abstract(s)?
Once you are signed in at seaphages.org, links to add, modify, or view an abstract are provided at the top of your institution page. Abstracts should be submitted between March 6 – 17, 2023.

How do I submit my poster(s)?
Once you have submitted your abstracts, SEA staff will send you a unique link for each poster. With this unique link, you will be able to upload your single-slide poster as well as your video-poster to the Symposium Meeting Website. There are 4 steps to uploading your video-poster. A Step-by-Step guide can be downloaded here. Video-posters should be submitted by April 13, 2023.

TALKS  

Yes! If you would like your abstract to be considered for a talk, you can indicate so during abstract submission. If your abstract is selected for a talk, you will be notified by March 23.
We encourage you to submit a poster (and poster-video) even if you are selected to give a talk, since the poster session is an additional and important opportunity for faculty and student co-authors, and other symposium attendees to interact and discuss research.


What are the formats for talks?
We have 3 types of sessions for talks:

  • SEA Research Sessions: These sessions will include several back-to-back 10-minute talks (+3 minutes for Q&A). Talks will be presented live. Speakers will be invited to a practice session in the weeks prior to the meeting so that they are familiar with the technology.
  • SEA Lead Scientist Session: This 50-min presentation will feature our SEA-PHAGES lead scientist, Graham Hatfull.
  • Keynote Session: The keynote presentation by Karine Gibbs will be presented in two parts.
    • Part.1 will be a pre-recorded presentation that will be made available to all attendees the week of April 3, and
    • Part.2, which builds on Part.1, will be a live presentation during the symposium. All attendees should watch Part.1 ahead of the symposium. We encourage faculty and students to watch and discuss Part.1 together.
       

OTHER

How will symposium attendees be able to interact?

The entire Symposium will be hosted in Gathertown, a virtual meeting platform. This means all attendees can connect with one another, via video and audio, throughout the meeting.

  • Talks will be hosted in the conference rooms in Gathertown, and attendees will be able to walk up to a virtual microphone to ask questions. Attendees can also use the live chat to ask questions.
  • Posters will be hosted in the poster rooms in Gathertown, and attendees will be engage with poster presenters by video and audio during the poster session. Anyone unable to attend a poster during the dedicated poster session can use a messaging feature for each video-poster outside of the poster session.
  • For all other times, including socials, we encourage all attendees to wander the virtual spaces in Gathertown built for the Symposium. You will be able to interact with one another via video and audio, and you can also interact with games, watch HHMI shows, and more! We encourage attendees to use this space to meet between or after sessions to discuss science, or to simply catch up with old friends and to meet and make new friends.
     

What are important dates?
March 21, 2023:          Deadline to register for the Symposium.
March 21, 2023:          Deadline for abstract submission.
March 23, 2023:          Those selected to give talks will be notified.
April 13, 2023:               Deadline to upload Poster-videos to the symposium website.
April 14 – 16, 2023:     Attend the symposium.

Upcoming Events

2023 Phage Genomics Workshop

December 4, 2023 to December 8, 2023

Submit Abstract for 2024 Symposium

March 15, 2024

2024 SEA Symposium

April 12, 2024 to April 14, 2024

Recent Events

Phage Discovery Workshop 16B

July 8, 2023 to July 14, 2023

Phage Discovery Workshop 16A

June 24, 2023 to June 30, 2023

Forum Activity

jcaoyao@gmail.com posted in Getting Started with Phage Assembly

cdshaffer posted in Getting Started with Phage Assembly

jcaoyao@gmail.com posted in Adding Illumina reads

FORUMS HOME PAGE