Prior to submitting genomic DNA for sequencing, SEA students perform a restriction endonuclease digest with several enzymes, which provides a fast and cost-effective way of quickly screening isolated phages. The pattern of bands on the gel should be unique except for very closely related or identical phages, which is useful when trying to identify novel bacteriophages to send for sequencing and ultimately for annotation. Students often struggle with understanding what restriction enzymes are, ho…