The official website of the HHMI Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science 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.
How naturally occurring viruses could help treat superbug infections
CNN International | Dec. 5, 2023
Phages are naturally occurring viruses that infect and kill bacteria. CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta meets the researchers scouring the world to see if phages could be the key to treating antibiotic resistant infections.read more
Related institution: University of Pittsburgh
Conference on Bacteriophages: Biology, Dynamics, Therapeutics
International Antiviral Society—USA | Sept. 4, 2025
The inaugural Conference on Bacteriophages: Biology, Dynamics, and Therapeutics, will be held on October 12 to 14, 2025, in Washington, DC, USA. Academic and other investigators will meet for this 2.5-day conference of approximately 500 US and international attendees, that includes state-of-the-art invited talks, symposia, and workshops, as well as abstract-driven presentations focused on recent scientific advances and future clinical applications of bacteriophages. CLICK TO REGISTER!read more
Written by on March 11, 2026
As a result of our Genome Announcement Workflow, the journal microPublication Biology has capacity to continue to publish one genome announcement from each SEA school in 2026, and at a reduced publication fee of $150 (discounted by HHMI from $350).
Status of Phage Genomes
Below is a spreadsheet with the status of genomes that will be included in a genome announcement this year.
1. DOWNLOAD THE 2026 GENOME ANNOUNCEMENT TEMPLATE:
Please download this …
Written by on March 2, 2026
IMPORTANT DATES
March 16 - 20, 2026: Registration Window
May 11, 2026: Deadline for abstract submission
May 14, 2026: Those selected to give talks will be notified.
May 22, 2026: Deadline to upload posters to be printed by HHMI
May 29 - June 1: Attend SEA Faculty Meeting
WHO SHOULD REGISTER?
HHMI HQ has a meeting capacity of 175 persons. Given the size of our community, this …
Written by on Feb. 1, 2026
Below are some guidelines to help you and your students prepare for the upcoming symposium. These include guidelines for:
IMPORTANT DATES
March 31, 2026: Deadline to register for the Symposium.
March 31, 2026: Deadline for abstract submission.
April 3, 2026: Those selected to give talks will be notified.
April 13, 2026: Part.1 of the Symposium Keynote available …
May 29, 2026 to June 1, 2026
June 12, 2026 to July 18, 2026
June 26, 2026 to July 2, 2026
April 24, 2026 to April 26, 2026
December 12, 2025 to December 16, 2025
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