Columbia College Instructor Bre Cole remembers the value of participating in the SEA-PHAGES research program when she was an undergraduate student.
That is why she is proud to bring the program to Biology students at Columbia College.
“If you’re looking for a course that goes far beyond the textbook, the SEA-PHAGES program offers a rare chance to step directly into the world of real scientific discovery,” Cole says. “This program provides authentic research experience for undergraduate students.”
Columbia College is partnering with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to offer SEA-PHAGES, which stands for Science Education Alliance — Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science.
In the program, students will actively search for new bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria), isolate them and analyze their genomes. Their work will contribute to ongoing research, and there is an opportunity to become co-authors on peer-reviewed scientific publications.
“Research conducted by students may contribute to big findings and advance therapeutic strategies in treating antibiotic-resistant infections,” Cole says.
The program is composed of a two-semester sequence of research courses: BIOL 233 Phage Discovery Lab (offered in Fall 2026) and BIOL 333 Phage Genomics (offered in Spring 2027).
It is open to all majors who have completed BIOL 110 and BIOL 110L or the transfer equivalency.
Phage Discovery Lab is the first step in the sequence. Students will dive straight into authentic scientific work by collecting soil samples and isolating the bacteriophages hidden within them. Once students confirm they’ve found a phage, they’ll learn how to purify it, amplify it and extract its DNA.
“These are core techniques used in real microbiology and molecular biology labs,” Cole says.
From there, students will characterize their phage using restriction digests and gel electrophoresis, and ultimately help select a genome for sequencing. They’ll even get the chance to visualize their phage’s morphology using transmission electron microscopy.
In the second part of the SEA-PHAGES program, students work on the genome sequence of the phage they discovered. Instead of a tube of DNA, they will have a full string of genetic information.
In Phage Genomics Lab, students will learn how to analyze their phage’s genome using powerful bioinformatics tools, comparing it to thousands of others to uncover its genes, predict its functions and understand how their phage fits into the larger evolutionary landscape.
By the end of the semester, students will produce a polished, publication-ready genome annotation that becomes part of an international scientific database.
Click here to view eligibility requirements and sign up for this program. For more information, contact Cole at bcole6@ccis.edu or Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Sarah Shawver at sshawver@ccis.edu.
“By joining SEA-PHAGES at Columbia College, you are participating in meaningful research with real-world relevance,” Cole says. “If you want authentic lab experience, a published genome, participation in a national symposium and a stacked CV, this is the course that delivers.”
