CICEET Progress Report for the period 9/16/05 Through 3/15/06

Project Title: F+ RNA Coliphages as Source Tracking Viral Indicators of Fecal Contamination
Principal Investigator(s): Mark D. Sobsey
Additional Investigator(s): David Love, Greg Lovelace
Project Start Date: 9/1/2003

Project Objectives for This Reporting Period
Objectives
Write the final report, disseminate the findings through our website and peer-reviewed literature.

Tasks to meet objectives
Analyze data collected from 2003-2005, write and edit the final report, submit report to CICEET, write manuscripts for publication, add material to our labgroup website: www.unc.edu/sobseylab

Progress on Tasks
The final report is in draft form and being edited and refined, manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication are being written, web material will be posted when the final report is complete.

Difficulties
No difficulties occurred during this period. One anticipated difficulty was the recent retirement of our Beaufort field lab manager, Greg Lovelace, who played a key role in this project.

Project Objectives for Next Reporting Period

This is the last progress report, and the project is complete. The final report is underway and will be delivered in coming weeks. No new objectives are needed.

Dissemination
Publications: 2 publications are in draft form and the timetable for submission is Fall 2006
Workshops: no workshops were held in this project period
Conferences: project data was presented as a poster “F+ RNA Coliphage as Viral Indicators of Fecal Pollution in Estuarine Water and Shellfish” at the Estuarine Research Federation conference in Norfolk, VA, October 16-21, 2006
Manuals, Protocols: manuals and protocols will be posted on our website: www.unc.edu/sobseylab after the final report is complete.

Expenditures
This project is on a no-cost extension.