Clostridium botulinum
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Clostridium botulinum
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria; Firmicutes; Clostridia; Clostridiales; clostridiaceae
Species
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Clostridium Botulinum
Description and significance
The bacterium Clostridium botulinum is a rod-shaped organism of the genus Clostridium. Most commonly found in soil, C. botulinum are found to grow most efficiently in low-oxygen conditions. First discovered and isolated by Emile van Ermengem in 1896, C. botulinum survive by forming spores, remaining in a dormant state until environmental conditions arise that allow them to grow. The importance of sequencing the genome of Clostridium Botulinum lies in its ability to produce a toxin known as botulin, one of the most powerful known toxins that lead to to the paralytic illness known as botulism.
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.
Genome structure
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Cell structure and metabolism
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Ecology
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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
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References
Edited by Brannon Peralta student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano
