The Gossypium (cotton) genus presents a novel opportunity to advance our understanding of the natural world and organic evolution, while nurturing bio-based carbon sequestration alternatives to petrochemical use and improving the sustainability of crop production. The genus has spawned one of the world’s most important crops (cotton), which sustains one of the world’s largest industries…
Why Sequence Brachypodium?
The temperate wild grass species Brachypodium distachyon (Brachypodium) is a new model plant for temperate grasses and herbaceous energy crops. Temperate grass species such as wheat, barley, and forage grasses underpin our food supply. However, the size and complexity of their genomes is a major barrier to biotechnological improvement. Similarly, while herbaceous energy crops (especially…
Why Sequence Aquilegia formosa?
A central goal of biology is to understand the natural genetic variation that is responsible for environmental adaptations, leading to species and higher-order taxa. In order to understand the key features of angiosperm (flowering plant) evolution, we need genomic resources for model organisms from lineages reaching far back toward the base of the evolutionary tree….
Why Sequence Zymomonas mobilis strains?
A primary goal for the U.S., the E.U., and other nations is to find cleaner, safer and renewable alternatives to fossil fuels, and to that end 4 billion gallons of corn-derived ethanol was used as fuel additive in 2006, in the U.S. alone. The bacterium Zymomonas mobilis is a highly potent ethanol producer already used…
Why Sequence Variovorax paradoxus?
DOE-JGI will be sequencing two strains of the β-proteobacterium Variovorax paradoxus, which are distinct and especially relevant to DOE. Variovorax species are catabolically very diverse and engage in mutually beneficial interactions with other bacterial species in many biodegradations. For example, a soil methanotroph, only when co-cultured together with a V. paradoxus strain, exhibits high affinity…
Why Sequence Thermovibrio ammonificans?
Thermophilic and hyperthermophilic microorganisms are an important component of geothermal ecosystems, which include continental hot springs, solfataras, and both shallow and deep-sea hydrothermal vents. These organisms play a critical role in our understanding of several fundamental biological processes, such as microbial adaptations to elevated temperatures and prokaryotic evolution, and they represent a natural source for…
Why Sequence Starkeya novella?
In the context of global warming, understanding how ecosystems contribute to the cycling of carbon compounds and how these systems will react to changing climatic conditions is becoming more and more important. At present, knowledge about the microbial contributions to carbon and sulfur transformations, especially in terrestrial ecosystems, is limited. While tallying up contributions to…
Why Sequence “Selenospirillum indicus”?
“Selenospirillum indicus” is the first cultured species of the proposed new genus “Selenospirillum“, and the sequencing of its genome will expand the range of experimental approaches that researchers can use to characterize its metabolic pathways for energy production and understand how these pathways are regulated. “S. indicus” is notable for its ability to reduce selenate…
Why Sequence Pseudonocardia dioxanivorans?
Ethers such as 1,4-dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, and methyl tert-butyl ether are widespread contaminants of groundwater resources. 1,4-Dioxane is widely used as a stabilizer for chlorinated solvents such as 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA). 1,4-Dioxane is a carcinogen, and causes acute toxic effects on the nervous system, liver, and kidneys. One promising approach for remediating 1,4-dioxane-impacted water supplies is in-situ…
Why Sequence Natrialba magadii?
Natrialba magadii is an extremophile in the extreme. It thrives in alkaline hypersaline conditions (pH 9.5, 3.5 M NaCl) and encodes enzymes that are not only salt tolerant but also often tolerant of high pH, high temperatures, and the presence of solvents. Genomic sequencing of this haloalkaliphilic (i.e., thriving in high salt concentrations and high…