Microbial
Genome Sequencing
Karen Nelson
The Institute for Genomic Research
2113th
Meeting Abstract
Friday, February 11, 2000 at 8:30 P.M.
Abstract:
Whole genome sequencing has accelerated the rate at which new genes are being
identified. Many of these genes have potential for the biotech and health care
industries, as well as for addressing environmental issues. Complete genome
sequences also allow a detailed understanding of the evolutionary history of an
organism, the complete genome revealing more information than that obtained
from single gene analyses. One significant example comes from the DNA sequence
of Thermotoga maritima. T. maritima is thought to be one of the earliest
branchings of the known bacteria, and as a thermophilic organism has potential
for providing thermostable industrially relevant enzymes. Apart from
interesting basic biological findings, this genome sequence presents
significant evidence (based on protein sequence similarities and regions of
atypical DNA composition) for extensive lateral gene transfer between Archaea
and Bacteria. This finding is also supported by independent periodicity
analysis of the genome sequence. Almost one–quarter of the T. maritima
genome appears to have been acquired from the archaeal domain, highlighting the
significance of natural exchange of genetic material in the environment, and
also raising questions on the definition of organisms that have
mosaic–like genome sequences. The nature of the last universal common
ancestor continues to be debated.
About the Author:
Karen Nelson received a Ph. D. in Microbiology from Cornell University. She is
an Assistant Investigator at The Institute for Genomic Research in Rockville,
Maryland, where she works in the area of Microbial Genomics. She recently
completed the whole genome sequencing effort for the bacterium Thermotoga
maritima and is presently involved in the whole genome sequencing and
annotation of Pseudomonas putida, Neisseria meningitidis, and Vibrio cholerae.
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