Halomonas titanicae

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A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Halomonas titanicae

Classification

Higher order taxa

Domain; Phylum; Class; Order; family [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]

Species

H. titanicaeNEUF2011

NCBI: Taxonomy

Genus species

Description and significance

Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.

Halomonas titanicae is a gram-negative, bacilli shaped bacterium. It’s a motile microorganism which moves by flagella, and it has a peritrichous appearance. It inhibits the ocean at depths near the ocean floors thus it is psychrophilic, thriving at low temperatures. This bacterium collects on the side of metal surfaces, and was discovered on the ship the RMS Titanic. This bacterium was isolated from porous structures of corrosive by-product called rusticles. Rusticles also house 27 other species bacteria.

H. titanicae is significant because it is capable of accelerating the speed of which metals are corroded. Scientists are now gaining more information in regards to its destructive power. In 1995, Scientist had thought the structure of the titanic would 30 more years, however, with this Bacterium’s destructive ability this expectancy could be less than expected. Although a tragedy to the titanic, this new bacterium can be utilized to recycle the metal on other sea wreaks sitting idle on the ocean floor. By studying the structure and capabilities of H. titanicae new paints and coatings can be created that will abate in preserving ships and prevent against their degradation.

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?

Cell structure and metabolism

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

The Halomonas titanicae bacteria are gram-negative bacilli that are typically unpigmented or yellow tinted. Typically it is an extrememe halophile with flagella for motility.

It is known as a "steel munching" bacteria because it metabolizes steel rust as with the Titanic.

They are capable of anaerobic growth with the aid of glucose but in addition they are able to perform denitrification to gain energy through taking nitrate and converting it to nitrogen. (?)

Ecology

Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.

Pathology

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

Current Research

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

Cool Factor

Describe something you fing "cool" about this microbe.

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 student of Iris Keren