A Day at Frank Konyn Dairy: Searching for Phages to Fuel Our Research

On September 27, 2024, a group of enthusiastic graduate students from our lab had the unique opportunity to visit Frank Konyn Dairy, Inc., the last remaining dairy farm in San Diego County. Located just southeast of Escondido, the dairy is a family-run operation known for its commitment to producing high-quality products while promoting animal welfare, sustainable agriculture, and soil health.

Just another normal day for Miguel.

Wyman Chan (Cell and Molecular Biology M.S.) and Miguel Mooney (Microbiology M.S.), both first-year master’s students, were joined by rotating JDP Ph.D. students Wade Ingersoll and Ryan Bench for the visit. Their mission: to collect environmental samples in search of bacteriophages targeting E. coli and Pseudomonas species. These phages are key players in many of the research projects currently underway in our lab, and finding new isolates can significantly advance our understanding of phage biology and has potential therapeutic applications.

With expert guidance from Frank himself, he helped the team identify prime sampling locations. They collected wastewater from the farm pond, soil samples, and, of course, fresh manure. All rich potential sources for bacteriophages.

Wyman tells the cows about phage isolation.

The boys with Frank himself.

The day was not only an educational experience but a successful one: both Miguel and Wyman were able to isolate the phage candidates they had hoped to find. We are deeply grateful to Frank Konyn Dairy, Inc. and the Konyn family for welcoming us so warmly and supporting the scientific work being conducted at San Diego State University. Collaborations like these are vital for expanding our research horizons and fostering a stronger connection between science and the local community.

We'd like to thank Frank & the dairy farm again for their hospitality and help with our scientific endeavors! 🐄