Zymomonas mobilis: 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.
Zymomonas mobilis is a rod shaped gram negative bacterium that can be found in sugar rich plant saps. It is usually 2-6μm long and 1-1.4 μm wide, but this can vary significantly. In high CO2 or ethanol concentrations slime and granular layers have been see around the cell. It has been isolated from sugar cane as well as alcoholic beverages such as African palm wine; it is also known to cause cider sickness and spoiling of beer. However, the spoiling of beer is very limited due to its optimal temperature range of 25-30°C. It is being studied for its ability to ferment sugar to ethanol. Its ability to efficiently ferment carbohydrates using the Enter-Doudoroff pathway makes it an attractive candidate for producing bioethanol for fuel. It has also shown a high growth rate, tolerance to ethanol as well as being amendable to engineering [1] [2].
Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.


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

Revision as of 21:22, 3 June 2007

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Zymomonas mobilis

Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Alpha Proteobacteria; Sphingomonadales; Sphingomonadaceae[Others may be used.

Species

Zymomonas mobilis

NCBI: Taxonomy


Description and significance

Zymomonas mobilis is a rod shaped gram negative bacterium that can be found in sugar rich plant saps. It is usually 2-6μm long and 1-1.4 μm wide, but this can vary significantly. In high CO2 or ethanol concentrations slime and granular layers have been see around the cell. It has been isolated from sugar cane as well as alcoholic beverages such as African palm wine; it is also known to cause cider sickness and spoiling of beer. However, the spoiling of beer is very limited due to its optimal temperature range of 25-30°C. It is being studied for its ability to ferment sugar to ethanol. Its ability to efficiently ferment carbohydrates using the Enter-Doudoroff pathway makes it an attractive candidate for producing bioethanol for fuel. It has also shown a high growth rate, tolerance to ethanol as well as being amendable to engineering [1] [2].

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?

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 David Ly student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano