DOE-JGi will sequence the genomes of two members of the Micromonosporaceae: Micromonospora strain L5, which was originally isolated from roots of Casuarina equisetifolia, an actinorhizal plant that is nodulated by Frankia, and recently shown to fix atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia; and the ATCC strain M. aurantiaca 27029, which, based on 16S RNA DNA phylogeny, is…
Why Sequence Type I and II Methanotrophs?
Methanotrophic bacteria are absolutely vital for the global carbon cycle and to carbon sequestration, as they constitute the largest known biological methane sink. Methanotrophs are also central to the bioremediation and biofuel development goals of the DOE. To date, only two methanotrophic bacteria have undergone complete genome sequencing, and only one sequence is available to…
Why Sequence Thermophilic Methanoarchaea?
Microbes that reduce carbon dioxide to methane catalyze a significant component of the carbon cycle on Earth and are responsible for most of the methane in the atmospere. Since methane contributes significantly to the greenhouse effect, understanding the biological controls on emissions of methane may provide the opportunity to compensate for the emission of other…
Why Sequence Halothiobacillus neapolitanus and Thiomonas intermedia?
The aerobic sulfur bacteria Halothiobacillus neapolitanus and Thiomonas intermedia are representatives of two groups of proteobacteria (gamma- and beta-, respectively). Both play important roles in the global biogeochemical carbon and sulfur cycles by virtue of their ability to satisfy their carbon and energy needs entirely with inorganic compounds (CO2 and reduced sulfur compounds, respectively). Sulfur…
Why Sequence Bacteria That Reduce Sulfur Compounds?
Combustion of sulfur-containing fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, contributes significantly to global environmental problems, such as air pollution and acid rain. In addition, sulfur dioxide also supports reactions that create ozone depletion in the stratosphere. So, removal of sulfur compounds from energy carriers is essential for a clean and healthy environment. A…
Why Sequence Five Frankia Strains?
Frankia sp. strains form N2-fixing root nodules on woody trees and shrubs in a symbiosis known as “actinorhizal”. Because Frankia strains fix nitrogen, actinorhizal plants grow well on marginal soils. The plants are potential sources of biomass for energy generation and carbon sequestration, and have been used for remediating stressed or contaminated soils. Frankia form…
Why Sequence Biogeochemically Important Bacteria?
DOE JGI will be sequencing three biogeochemically important bacteria, Diaphorobacter sp. strain TPSY, Ferrutens nitratireducens strain 2002 and Azospira suillum strain PS. These organisms represent diverse genera capable of anaerobically oxidizing both iron(II) and humic acids by using nitrate as the electron acceptor. Two of these organisms, strain 2002 and strain TPSY, are also capable…
Why Sequence Stalked Bacteria?
The stalks synthesized by some members of the α-Proteobacteria take up diffuse compounds from water sources, a feature that could be exploited for bioremediation, specifically the uptake of toxic compounds from contaminated water sources. Furthermore, extracellular polysaccharides from some of the stalked bacteria sequester metals, a feature that could be used to remediate environments affected…
Why Sequence a Methane-Oxidizing Archaeon?
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas whose atmospheric concentration has increased significantly because of anthropogenic activities and fluctuated naturally over glacial and interglacial cycles. While the importance of methane in Earth’s climate dynamics has been well established, the global processes regulating its oceanic cycling remain poorly understood. Although there are high rates of methane production…
Why Sequence Allochromatium vinosum?
Anoxygenic purple sulfur bacteria flourish in globally occurring habitats, wherever light reaches sulfidic water layers or sediments, and often grow as dense accumulations in conspicuous blooms in freshwater as well as marine aquatic ecosystems. Here they are not only major players in the reoxidation of sulfide produced by sulfate-reducing bacteria in deeper anoxic layers but…