User:Kmrobiso

This student page has not been curated.

Classification

Serratia marcescens

Domain: Bacteria; Phylum: Proteobacteria; Class: Gamma Proteobacteria; Order: Enterobacterales; Family: Yersiniaceae; Genus: Serratia; Species: marcescens

Genus Species

Serratia marcescens

Description and Significance

The microbe Serratia marcescens was discovered in 1819 by the Italian pharmacist Bartolomeo Bizio after he found a bloody discoloration on his polenta. Once he determined this microbe was the cause of the infection, Bizio determined the identity of it by naming Serratia after an Italian physicist, Serrafino Serrati, and marcescens after the Latin word for decaying. These microorganisms are a motile gram-negative bacillus bacteria that are capable of growing in temperatures from 5°C to 40°C and in pH levels between 5 and 9. These bacteria are facultative anaerobes, meaning they are able to grow in a location with or without oxygen. Because of this, they can perform nitrate reductions when in an anaerobic environment. Before the 1960s, S. marcescens were thought to be harmless and non-pathogenic; however, news was released about how the United States military used to perform experiments in order to stop the spread of the microorganism which resulted in many being exposed to the newly identified pathogen. It was later discovered that they most commonly infect those with weakened immune systems including hospital patients in the ICU. Serratia marcescens are known for being involved in urinary and respiratory infections, septicemia, endocarditis, eye infections, osteomyelitis, meningitis, and wound infections; they transmit these infections through direct contact with other organisms or through medical equipment that would be considered to be sterile including catheters and saline irrigation solutions. They are environmental organisms, meaning these bacteria have a large host range and can infect invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants. Since these organisms are environmental isolates, some strains are capable of making the red pigment called prodigiosin, which scientists used as markers to track the activity or transmission from bacteria cultures.

Genome

The Serratia marcescens strain Db11 has a complete genome that contains a single circular chromosome of 5,113,802 base pairs which consists of a G+C content of 59.51%. S. marcescens has 541 genome assemblies and four sequence reads. The average median total length (Mb) of the genome for S. marcescens is 5.1985 and their median protein count is 4798.

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Interesting features of the microbe's cell structure and metabolism. Does it make interesting or important molecules? What is it's life cycle like?

Ecology and Known Roles in Symbiosis

In what habitat(s) do you find this microbe? What roles (if known) does this microbe play in symbiosis with other organisms? What role or contribution does this microbe contribute to the environment.

Fun Facts

List interesting facts about this microbe that would appeal to a general audience. Does the microbe play an important role in a process relevant to society?

References

[Sample reference] Bosch TCG, Guillemin K, McFall-Ngai M (2019) Evolutionary "Experiments" in Symbiosis: The Study of Model Animals Provides Insights into the Mechanisms Underlying the Diversity of Host-Microbe Interactions. BioEssays 41:1800256

Author

This page was authored by Kiley Robison as part of the 2020 UM Study USA led by Dr. Erik Hom at the University of Mississippi.