Desulfonema limicola: Difference between revisions

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==Description and Significance==
==Description and Significance==
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.
Sulfate-reducing bacteria were first discovered in 1895 by Beijerinck.  Since then, several species of sulfate-reducing bacteria have been described.  Desulfonema limicola, which means thread-forming, sulfate reducer, mud-dweller, was described in 1983 by Widdel. 
 
Desulfonema limicola is a filamentous, multicellular, prokaryote bacterium.  Cells are approximately 2.3-3 by 2-5 µm.  The species is a strict anaerobe that is found in organic-rich, sulfidic sediment samples of marine and freshwater.  Optimum temperature and pH are 30C and 7.6, respectively. The morphology of Desulfonema limicola allows the bacterium to glide and migrate within compact sediments.  This species is important because it mineralizes dead biomass in sulfate-rich anoxic habitats.


==Genome Structure==
==Genome Structure==

Revision as of 13:50, 24 April 2010

Classification

Domain (Bacteria); Phylum (Progeobacteria); Class (Deltaprogeobacteria); Order (Desulfobacterales); Family (Desulfobacteraceae); Genus (Desulfonema)

Species

Desulfonema limicola

Description and Significance

Sulfate-reducing bacteria were first discovered in 1895 by Beijerinck. Since then, several species of sulfate-reducing bacteria have been described. Desulfonema limicola, which means thread-forming, sulfate reducer, mud-dweller, was described in 1983 by Widdel.

Desulfonema limicola is a filamentous, multicellular, prokaryote bacterium. Cells are approximately 2.3-3 by 2-5 µm. The species is a strict anaerobe that is found in organic-rich, sulfidic sediment samples of marine and freshwater. Optimum temperature and pH are 30C and 7.6, respectively. The morphology of Desulfonema limicola allows the bacterium to glide and migrate within compact sediments. This species is important because it mineralizes dead biomass in sulfate-rich anoxic habitats.

Genome Structure

The genome has yet to be sequenced, however, Gerard Muyze is in the process of doing so. [Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. 2010]

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.


Ecology and Pathogenesis

Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

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.

Author

Page authored by Megan Andrzejak and Laura Bast, student of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.

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