Why sequence Burkholderia?

Burkholderia strains are involved in carbon cycling and contribute to a healthy, carbon dioxide-fixing environment by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and helping to counter plant pathogens. The bacteria are also known for their ability to break down pollutants in soil and water such as the organic chemical trichloroethene. The abundance of these bacteria in nature suggests they have a larger role in maintaining the biogeochemistry of the planet than is currently known.

Isolated from an onion field, the B. cenocepacia strain isolated from an onion field was previously sequenced by the DOE JGI. Researchers have tracked this strain over several hundred generations and found that the bacteria favor forming biofilms, microbial communities that adhere to a solid substrate. Bacterial communities in the form of biofilms are found throughout the environment but the cause of their diversity remains unclear. In studying the biofilms formed by B. cenocepacia, researchers have found that the bacteria have developed into three distinct morphological genotypes: Studded (S), Ruffled (R) and Wrinkly (W). Researchers now intend to resequence Burkholderia, specifically, these S, W and R mutants, to identify the molecular bases of the mutations that led to these adaptations and to learn more about whether or not biofilm adaptation and diversification is predictable.

Photo:Steffen Poltak, Cooper lab

Principal Investigators: Vaughn Cooper, University of New Hampshire

Program: CSP 2010