Thermobifida fusca: Difference between revisions

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==Description and significance==
==Description and significance==
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced.  Describe how and where it was isolated.
Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.
''Bacillus licheniformis'' is a bacterium that is commonly found in soil and bird feathers. Birds that tend to stay on the ground more than the air (i.e. sparrows) and on the water (i.e. ducks) are common carriers of this bacterium; it is mostly found around the bird's chest area and back plumage.
''Bacillus licheniformis'' is part of the subtilis group along with ''Bacillus subtilis'' and ''Bacillus pumilus''. These bacteria are commonly known to cause food poisoning and food spoilage. ''Bacillus licheniformis'' also is known for contaminating dairy products. Food borne outbreaks usually involve cases of cooked meats and vegetables, raw milk, and industrially produced baby food contaminated with ''Bacillus licheniformis''.


''Thermobifida fusca'', formerly known as Thermomonaspora fusca, is a rod shaped, thermophilic organism found in decaying organic matter and is a major degrader of plant cell wall (1, 2).  Its preferred habitat are compost heaps, rotting hay, manure piles, or mushroom growth medium because these are self-heated organic materials that can reach ''Thermobifida fusca’s'' growth temperature of 55ºC (2).  The genus Thermobifida comprises of 2 members, the other being ''Thermobifida alba'' (1).  Both members of the genus are acid fast, Gram-positive aerobic organisms (1).  It is important to map out the entire genome of this organism because of its biotechnological uses.  The organism produces multiple extracellular enzymes including cellulases that are responsible for the decomposition of cellulose and lignocellulose residues, which is important for the breakdown of agricultural and urban wastes (1).


==Genome structure==
==Genome structure==

Revision as of 23:23, 5 June 2007

Classification

Higher order taxa

cellular organisms; Bacteria; Actinobacteria; Actinobacteridae; Actinomycetales; Streptosporangineae; Nocardiopsaceae; Thermobifida fusca

Genus

Thermobifida

Description and significance

Thermobifida fusca, formerly known as Thermomonaspora fusca, is a rod shaped, thermophilic organism found in decaying organic matter and is a major degrader of plant cell wall (1, 2). Its preferred habitat are compost heaps, rotting hay, manure piles, or mushroom growth medium because these are self-heated organic materials that can reach Thermobifida fusca’s growth temperature of 55ºC (2). The genus Thermobifida comprises of 2 members, the other being Thermobifida alba (1). Both members of the genus are acid fast, Gram-positive aerobic organisms (1). It is important to map out the entire genome of this organism because of its biotechnological uses. The organism produces multiple extracellular enzymes including cellulases that are responsible for the decomposition of cellulose and lignocellulose residues, which is important for the breakdown of agricultural and urban wastes (1).

Genome structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?

Bacillus Licheniformis is a Gram positive, thermophillic bacterium. Its optimal growth temperature is 50°C, but it can also survive at much higher temperatures. Its optimal temperature for


Cell structure and metabolism

Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.


Ecology

Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.


Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.


Application to Biotechnology

Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?


Current Research

Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required


References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.


Edited by Michael Zhang, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano at UCSD.

NCBI: Taxonomy