# Research This is the hub for Dustin Edwards's research. Dustin Edwards, Ph.D., is a virologist and Department Head of Biological Sciences at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. His virology research at Tarleton covers retroviruses, from HTLV-1 in people to REV and LPDV in wild birds, and bacteriophage research in Texas with undergraduates in the SEA-PHAGES program, along with research on how course-based research is taught. This page lists every research area, the phage table, every lab protocol and every publication, with a sentence on each. ## Research areas - [Retroviruses](/research/retroviruses): [human retroviruses](/research/retroviruses/human), HTLV-1 research on the Tax oncoprotein and the accessory proteins p12, p8, p13 and p30; and [avian retroviruses](/research/retroviruses/avian), detection and genome sequencing of REV and LPDV in Texas wild turkeys and Attwater's prairie chickens. - [Bacteriophages](/research/bacteriophages): discovery, genomics and structure of *Microbacterium* and *Mycobacterium* phages isolated from Texas soil by undergraduates, including the cluster O mycobacteriophage Ryadel and its elongated capsid. - [Science education](/research/science-education): the SEA-PHAGES course-based research experience at Tarleton, the genome announcements students co-author, and research with the SEA-PHAGES faculty community on how research courses are taught and assessed. Work on AI lives under [software](/software) until there is published AI research. ## Phages The [phage table](/research/phages) lists all 80 bacteriophages isolated in the Tarleton SEA-PHAGES lab from 2017 to 2025, with each phage's host, year, Texas county, PhagesDB record and genome announcement where one exists. ## Protocols The [protocols index](/research/protocols) groups the lab's methods. Each protocol has its own page: - [Phage discovery guide](/teaching/phage-discovery): the Phage Discovery Program at Tarleton, the path from soil sample to annotated genome, and where the lab's practice differs from the official SEA-PHAGES Phage Discovery Guide. - [Phage isolation protocol](/research/protocols/phage-isolation): direct and enriched isolation, plaque purification, spot and full plate titers, webbed plates and high-titer lysates. - [Phage DNA extraction protocol](/research/protocols/phage-dna-extraction): the lab's column-free ZnCl2/TES method, with checks of DNA quantity and quality before sequencing. - [COI primers](/research/protocols/coi-primers): the LCO1490 and HCO2198 (Folmer) primers and PCR conditions for COI barcoding of invertebrate mitochondrial DNA. - [REV PCR primers](/research/protocols/rev-lpdv-primers): three primer sets for reticuloendotheliosis virus, one in the 3′ LTR and two in the *pol* gene, with cycling tables and product sizes. - [Pan-avian GAPDH PCR](/research/protocols/pan-avian-gapdh): a control PCR showing that a bird DNA extraction holds DNA that will amplify. ## Publications Every paper is listed below by area, with one sentence on what it reports. Each title links to the paper's own page. The [publications page](/research/publications) has the full list with citations. ### Human and simian retroviruses - [Discovery and Characterization of Auxiliary Proteins Encoded by Type 3 Simian T-Cell Lymphotropic Viruses](/research/publications/10-1128-jvi-02150-14/) (2015). Three previously unknown accessory proteins were found in simian T-cell lymphotropic virus type 3, and the location of each in the cell was characterized. - [Both orf-I isoforms, p12 and p8, are required for efficient HTLV-1 infection and persistence](/research/publications/10-1186-1742-4690-11-s1-o13/) (2014). A conference talk reporting that HTLV-1 needs both p12 and p8 to infect and persist. - [Co-dependence of HTLV-1 p12 and p8 Functions in Virus Persistence](/research/publications/10-1371-journal-ppat-1004454/) (2014). HTLV-1 established infection efficiently in macaques only when it made both p12 and p8. - [Human T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma Virus Type 1 p30, but Not p12/p8, Counteracts Toll-Like Receptor 3 (TLR3) and TLR4 Signaling in Human Monocytes and Dendritic Cells](/research/publications/10-1128-jvi-01788-13/) (2014). The HTLV-1 p30 protein suppresses TLR3 and TLR4 signaling and the interferon response in monocytes and dendritic cells, and p12 and p8 do not. - [Palmitoylation and p8-Mediated Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Transmission](/research/publications/10-1128-jvi-03444-13/) (2014). Mutating cysteine 39 blocks dimerization and palmitoylation of p8 and p12, but p8 still reaches the cell surface and supports virus transmission. - [Role of regulatory proteins in HIV-1/HTLV-1 coinfection](/research/publications/10-1186-1742-4690-11-s1-p122/) (2014). A conference poster, listed under its published title, on regulatory proteins in coinfection. - [A Public HTLV-1 Molecular Epidemiology Database for Sequence Management and Data Mining](/research/publications/10-1371-journal-pone-0042123/) (2012). A public online database that collects and annotates published HTLV-1 sequences. - [Inhibition of Geranylgeranyl Transferase-I Decreases Cell Viability of HTLV-1-Transformed Cells](/research/publications/10-3390-v3101815/) (2011). The inhibitor GGTI-298 lowered the viability of HTLV-1-transformed cells and reduced Tax protein levels. - [Orf-I and Orf-II-Encoded Proteins in HTLV-1 Infection and Persistence](/research/publications/10-3390-v3060861/) (2011). A review of the HTLV-1 orf-I and orf-II proteins p12, p8, p13 and p30. - [Role of dimerization and palmitoylation on the function of HTLV-1 p12 and p8](/research/publications/10-1186-1742-4690-8-s1-a124/) (2011). A conference abstract on how dimerization and palmitoylation affect HTLV-1 p12 and p8. - [Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Tax Relieves Repression of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Gene Expression](/research/publications/10-1128-jvi-00356-08/) (2008). HTLV-1 Tax blocks a repressor complex on the PCNA promoter and raises PCNA expression. - [RNA Tumour Viruses](/research/publications/10-1002-9780470025079-chap06-pub2/) (2007). A textbook chapter on RNA tumor viruses, focused on HTLV-1 and its Tax oncoprotein. ### Avian retroviruses - [Genome Sequence of Fowlpox Virus-Integrated Reticuloendotheliosis Virus from a Rio Grande Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia)](/research/publications/10-1128-mra-00174-22/) (2022). A nearly intact REV provirus was found inserted in a field strain of fowlpox virus from a wild turkey in Gillespie County, Texas. - [Molecular Surveillance for Lymphoproliferative Disease Virus and Reticuloendotheliosis Virus in Rio Grande Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) in Texas, USA](/research/publications/10-7589-jwd-d-22-00023/) (2022). The first molecular evidence of LPDV in Texas, from dried blood spots of 373 wild turkeys, with continued detection of REV. - [Near-Complete Proviral Genome Sequence of Reticuloendotheliosis Virus Isolated from an Attwater's Prairie Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri)](/research/publications/10-1128-mra-00173-22/) (2022). The REV genome from the 2016 to 2017 outbreak at a captive breeding facility for endangered Attwater's prairie chickens. - [Detection of Reticuloendotheliosis Virus in Muscovy Ducks, Wild Turkeys, and Chickens in Brazil](/research/publications/10-7589-2019-04-088/) (2020). The first report of REV in the Amazon biome, in Muscovy ducks, wild turkeys and chickens in northern Brazil. - [Survey of Reticuloendotheliosis Virus in Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Texas, USA](/research/publications/10-7589-2018-08-187/) (2019). A survey of 393 wild turkeys in Texas found REV in native Rio Grande wild turkeys and in an imported Eastern wild turkey. ### Bacteriophages - [Complete genome sequence of bacteriophage Godfather isolated from Microbacterium foliorum](/research/publications/10-1128-mra-00888-24/) (2025). The genome of phage Godfather, from Erath County soil: 17,452 bp, 24 genes, cluster EE. - [Exploration of Providers' Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Phage Therapy and Intentions for Future Adoption as an Alternative to Traditional Antibiotics in the US: A Cross-Sectional Study](/research/publications/10-3390-ijerph22071139/) (2025). In a survey of 196 US healthcare providers, 49 percent knew about phage therapy and 56 percent would consider using it. - [Complete genome sequence of bacteriophage MrAaronian isolated from an Arthrobacter globiformis culture](/research/publications/10-1128-mra-00778-23/) (2023). The genome of arthrobacteriophage MrAaronian, from Dutchess County, New York: 54,509 bp, 87 genes, cluster AW. - [Complete Genome Sequence of Bacteriophage Fizzles, Isolated from Microbacterium foliorum](/research/publications/10-1128-mra-01077-21/) (2022). The genome of phage Fizzles, from anthill soil in Erath County: 62,078 bp and 104 genes. - [Complete Genome Sequence of Bacteriophage Loca, Isolated on a Microbacterium foliorum Culture](/research/publications/10-1128-mra-00783-22/) (2022). The genome of phage Loca, from a shopping-cart handle swab in Erath County: 17,475 bp and 25 genes. - [Complete Genome Sequence of Bacteriophage IndyLu, Isolated from a Microbacterium foliorum Culture](/research/publications/10-1128-mra-01079-21/) (2021). The genome of phage IndyLu, from Erath County soil: 41,958 bp, 71 genes and one tRNA, related to cluster EB. - [Complete Genome Sequence of Mycobacteriophage Joy99](/research/publications/10-1128-mra-00556-21/) (2021). The genome of mycobacteriophage Joy99, annotated by high school students at a partner school: 59,837 bp and 97 genes. - [Complete Genome Sequences of Mycobacterium Phages Tripl3t and Zeuska](/research/publications/10-1128-mra-00558-21/) (2021). The genomes of phages Tripl3t and Zeuska, annotated by high school students at partner schools: about 53,600 bp each. - [Complete Genome Sequence of Bacteriophage Finny, Isolated from a Microbacterium foliorum Culture](/research/publications/10-1128-mra-01039-19/) (2019). The genome of phage Finny, from Comal County soil: 40,313 bp and 63 genes. - [Complete Genome Sequence of Cluster O Mycobacterium smegmatis Bacteriophage Ryadel](/research/publications/10-1128-mra-01594-18/) (2019). The genome of Ryadel, a cluster O phage with an elongated head: 72,658 bp and 132 genes. - [Complete Genome Sequence of Cluster A1 Mycobacterium smegmatis Bacteriophage Arlo](/research/publications/10-1128-mra-01242-18/) (2018). The genome of phage Arlo, from Erath County soil: 52,960 bp, 96 genes, cluster A1. ### Science education - [Science communication tools: rubrics for generating posters and manuscripts that are authentic to the practice of science](/research/publications/10-1128-jmbe-00313-25/) (2026). Two rubrics for grading student posters and short papers in research courses, written by about 100 SEA-PHAGES faculty. - [Acceptance, perceptions, and compliance for COVID-19 vaccines among students attending a rural university: An interventional study using brief video messages](/research/publications/10-1080-07448481-2025-2472184/) (2025). Short videos did not change COVID-19 vaccine perceptions or acceptance among 298 students at a rural Texas university. - [An inclusive Research and Education Community (iREC) model to facilitate undergraduate science education reform](/research/publications/10-3389-feduc-2024-1442318/) (2024). A pathway model of how the SEA-PHAGES faculty community adopts and improves research courses over time. - [The professional identity of STEM faculty as instructors of course-based research experiences](/research/publications/10-3389-feduc-2024-1442306/) (2024). What 97 instructors of research courses say about being a researcher and an educator at the same time. - [Writing Microbiology Resource Announcements (MRA)](/research/publications/10-25334-b5bs-f125/) (2024). A classroom framework for students to write a genome announcement together. - [Models of classroom assessment for course-based research experiences](/research/publications/10-3389-feduc-2023-1279921/) (2023). Four aims of assessment, and the practices for each, drawn from experienced instructors of research courses. - [Instructional Models for Course-Based Research Experience (CRE) Teaching](/research/publications/10-1187-cbe-21-03-0057/) (2022). Three models of how instructors teach inquiry in a research course. - [Understanding Restriction Enzyme Digests](/research/publications/10-25334-8cxe-6883/) (2021). Four classroom exercises on restriction enzyme digests and why they are used to screen phage DNA. The full list, with citations, is on the [publications page](/research/publications).