New virus named after Purdue President Mitch Daniels

Purdue University photo/John Underwood

Undergraduate Ben Burns (left) and Ekta Singh (right) were among the group that helped isolate and study the bacteriophage named “DaddyDaniels” in honor of President Mitch Daniels.

By: Michelle Kaufman

WEST LAFAYETTE — While some university presidents have a building or street named after them, Purdue University President Mitch Daniels has a unique honor of his own.

Mycobacteriophages, also known as “bacteriophages” or “phages,” are viruses that destroy bacteria cells by infecting them and reproducing inside them. They can help treat bacterial infections in humans that have become resistant to antibiotics

Students at Purdue discovered a new bacteriophage and named it “DaddyDaniels" in honor of President Daniels. It also pays homage to Daddy Warbucks from "Annie."

The phage that became known as the DaddyDaniels phage was found in a raised mulch bed outside of an apartment building off campus.

After the discovery, students isolate, study and catalog the bacteriophages including mapping their genetic code.