The Institute for Genomic Research has published a draft genome sequence of Trichomonas vaginalis, the cause of trichomoniasis. The researchers identified mechanisms that help the parasite resist existing therapies and potential targets for new drugs and diagnostic techniques.
Tetrahymena thermophila has two distinct nuclei, each with a different genome, and its macronuclear genome expresses genes governing behavior. The study reveals gene duplication in genes involved in sensing and responding to environment.
Scientists have discovered a common coastal strain of cyanobacteria that thrives in choppy, polluted waters. The study found that this strain has evolved unique metal-processing biology missing in its open-ocean relative, enabling it to absorb and process essential metals.
Researchers discovered that the glassy-winged sharpshooter insect has a surprising symbiosis with two bacteria, Baumannia cicadellinicola and Sulcia muelleri. The bacteria receive essential amino acids, while the insect receives vitamins and cofactors from them.
The study reveals a diverse population of over 60,000 genes in the human colon microbiome, including enzymes that help humans digest food. The findings suggest that bacteria in the colon co-evolved with their human host, contributing to our well-being and potentially leading to diseases like inflammatory bowel disease.
Scientists have sequenced the complete genomes of three emerging pathogens causing ehrlichiosis, a disease affecting humans, dogs, cattle, sheep, and other animals. The study identified new genes allowing bacteria to evade immune systems and adapt to new niches.
Scientists from five institutions identify five vaccine targets for an East Coast fever subunit vaccine, which triggered a strong immune response in lab tests. The researchers used the genome sequence of the parasite responsible for the disease to develop the vaccine.
A four-year study of designer rats with high blood pressure and healthy counterparts has identified candidate genes that may contribute to cardiovascular disease. The online database TREX is now available to researchers worldwide, offering an unprecedented amount of data to mine.
Scientists at The Institute for Genomic Research have sequenced the genome of Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungus that can cause human infections. The 28 Mb genome consists of 8 chromosomes with over 10,000 genes, which researchers are now searching to identify unique virulence factors.
A study comparing the genomes of boxers and poodles identified significant genetic variations that could be used to study diseases, development, and behaviors in dogs. The research also sheds light on evolutionary influences shaping mammalian genomes.
Researchers sequenced Salinibacter ruber's genome, discovering evidence of independent evolution of salt-surviving biochemistry. The bacterium also borrowed genes from neighboring archaea in an unusual example of cross-domain lateral gene transfer.
A new microbial genome sequence shows that C. hydrogenoformans can convert water and carbon monoxide to hydrogen, making it an excellent starting point for clean fuel production. The microbe's unique protein machines allow it to use carbon monoxide in different ways, making it more efficient than other species.
A new study has tracked the evolution of the H3N2 influenza virus in New York over five flu seasons, revealing at least three distinct subpopulations of the virus. The research demonstrates the potential for genomics to inform vaccine development and improve public health by understanding the dynamics of flu virus evolution.
Researchers at The Institute for Genomic Research predict that infinite genomes may never be fully described due to the continuous emergence of new genes in bacteria and viruses. By analyzing eight isolates of Group B Strep, TIGR scientists discovered a core genome with an average of 1806 genes present across all strains.
The completed rice genome provides a roadmap for agricultural researchers to develop new varieties of rice with increased yields and resistance to disease. With its finished sequence, scientists can identify genes responsible for fundamental processes such as flowering and disease resistance.
Researchers discover key biochemical tools that cold-adapted bacteria use to survive in subzero temperatures, including cell membranes packed with polyunsaturated fatty acids and protective solutes inside cells. The study also reveals potential industrial applications for cold-hardy enzymes found in the Colwellia psychrerythraea genome.
Researchers have discovered a shared genetic core among three deadly parasites, which could lead to the development of new drugs targeting these diseases. The genome studies found that the parasites share approximately 6,200 conserved genes, providing potential targets for treatment.
The study has given clues to pursue in understanding human cancers, with the parasite's genome providing information on its ability to induce cancer-like cells. The genome sequence also reveals key pathways that differ between T. parva and the malaria parasite.
A genome study of the beneficial microbe Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5 has identified new chemical pathways that may help boost plant health and combat plant diseases. The research, published in Nature Biotechnology, reveals the potential for this microbe to produce new antibiotic compounds.
The E. histolytica genome sequence shows a degraded core genome with retained and expanded gene families characteristic of more complex organisms. This study provides insights into the amoeba's unusual shared biology with anaerobic gut bacteria, shedding light on its metabolic processes and potential drug targets.
Researchers have sequenced the genomes of two closely related strains of Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungus that causes life-threatening infections in people with impaired immunity. The study revealed surprising similarities between the two strains, despite their different levels of virulence.
Scientists have identified key genes and gene regulation mechanisms in malaria parasites, which could lead to the development of new vaccines. The study's findings may help researchers understand when different genes switch on and off as the parasite metamorphoses through its complex life cycle.
Researchers have completed the first complete genome sequence of Dehalococcoides ethenogenes, a bacterium that dechlorinates major groundwater pollutants. The study reveals the microbe's unique metabolic capabilities, including 19 reductive dehalogenases and five hydrogenase complexes.
The study compared the complete genome sequences of four Campylobacter strains, identifying novel phages and megaplasmids that may help scientists understand the bacteria's virulence. The analysis also revealed sequence variations among the strains, including major structural differences related to DNA insertions.
The study of Silicibacter pomeroyi's genome reveals that marine bacterioplankton use inorganic compounds for energy, enabling efficient carbon use in low-nutrient oceans. The research also shows the microbe's adaptability to ocean hot spots, rich areas of organic matter.
Researchers have cracked the genetic code of B. mallei, a highly evolved pathogen that causes glanders, an infectious equine disease. The study reveals a tightly regulated set of virulence genes and genomic instability, which may explain why B. mallei can evade host immune responses.
The study reveals that methanotrophs, including M. capsulatus, have multiple pathways for using methane and can respond to environmental changes by switching between different chemical pathways. This flexibility could make them a valuable tool for reducing methane emissions.
Researchers have decoded the genome of Desulfovibrio vulgaris, a microbe responsible for microbially-influenced corrosion. The analysis provides insights into the microbe's capacity and flexibility to reduce metals, potentially leading to new methods for preventing corrosion and remediating metallic pollutants.
Researchers have discovered profound differences in the gene content of T. denticola, an oral pathogen associated with gum disease, compared to other spirochetes that cause syphilis and Lyme disease. The study's findings highlight the power of comparative genomics in understanding how related pathogens can cause different diseases.
Scientists have deciphered the genome of Wolbachia pientis wMel, a model bacterium that infects fruit flies. The study reveals the bacterium has accumulated more repetitive DNA than any other intracellular bacteria, with potential applications in developing new treatments for diseases such as dengue fever and lymphatic filariasis.
Researchers have developed a cost-effective alternative to sequencing the entire genomes of complex plants by combining two gene-enrichment techniques. The new method provides about a four-fold reduction in sequencing necessary to find all maize genes, highlighting its potential for analyzing large and complex plant genomes.
Researchers have deciphered the genome of Geobacter sulfurreducens, a microbe that can remove dissolved uranium from groundwater and generate electricity. The study reveals new capabilities, including enhanced electron transport and metal reduction genes.
The Institute for Genomic Research has released sequence data for the Trichomonas vaginalis parasite, which causes trichomoniasis and is linked to increased HIV transmission. The larger-than-expected genome holds promise for finding new treatments and prevention strategies.
Under the contract, TIGR will sequence dozens of genomes per year to provide data for vaccine and antimicrobial drug development projects. The institute's affiliated facility has already conducted sequencing for over 50 organisms, including microbes that cause various diseases.
Researchers at TIGR and TCAG published the first partial shotgun-genome sequence of the dog genome, revealing similarities with human and mouse genomes. The study identified 974,400 SNPs in dogs and found that the canine lineage diverged from the common ancestor of humans, mice, and other species.
The study predicts about 3,500 genes on Chromosome 10, with a modular structure featuring a long arm rich in genes and a short arm with relatively few genes. The analysis also found matches for about two-thirds of the proteins encoded by the chromosome with those encoded by Arabidopsis thaliana.
Researchers have deciphered the genome of Bacillus anthracis, a deadly soil bacterium that has been weaponized as a biowarfare agent. The analysis reveals that the bacterium's virulence is linked to specific genes and plasmids that enable it to thrive in environments rich in protein.
A new study by The Institute for Genomic Research found close similarity among the DNA sequences of Chlamydiae pathogens, including C. trachomatis, C. pneumoniae, and C. muridarum, which cause human diseases such as blindness and pneumonia. Nearly 800 genes discovered in C. caviae were also found in these other bacteria.
The complete DNA sequence of Coxiella burnetii, the Q Fever microbe, has been deciphered, revealing information on its biology and ability to cause disease. Researchers found that the genome appears to be in the early stages of reduction, with numerous genes involved in virulence and interactions with its host.
The study found that nearly a third of the E. faecalis genome consists of mobile or 'foreign' DNA, which plays a crucial role in helping the bacterium develop drug resistance. The analysis identified two sites in the genome related to vancomycin resistance, including a novel transposon carrying vanB resistance genes.
The MdBioLab offers state-of-the-art facilities and online access to resources, reaching up to 20,000 students and 100s of science teachers annually. The mobile lab will inspire interest in bioscience and expose students to cutting-edge technology.
The genome analysis reveals complex metabolism and diverse pathways, including aromatic compound breakdown and novel transport capabilities. P. putida has great potential for bioremediation, promoting plant growth, and fighting plant diseases.
The genome sequence of Shewanella oneidensis reveals its ability to remove toxic metals like chromium and uranium from the environment. Scientists have discovered a new bacterial phage that may enable genetic manipulation of Shewanella for specific bioremediation projects.
The Institute for Genomic Research has published a paper analyzing the genome of Plasmodium falciparum, a malaria parasite. The analysis identified about 200 genes producing proteins involved in immune evasion and revealed metabolic pathways, including enzymes that could be targeted by chemotherapy.
The complete genome sequence of B. suis reveals fundamental similarities with Brucella melitensis, a related species that causes similar disease in goats and humans. The study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms enabling closely-related species to target different host animals.
The study found numerous differences among isolates of S. agalactiae, suggesting the pathogen's ability to adapt and emerge as a major human pathogen. The researchers identified genes unique to S. agalactiae that likely play a role in colonization or disease.
Scientists have sequenced the genome of Chlorobium tepidum, a green-sulfur bacterium that performs photosynthesis in the absence of oxygen. The analysis reveals strong similarities between its metabolic processes and those of Archaea, suggesting a possible duplication of genes involved in photosynthesis.
Researchers have identified 60 new genomic markers that can help distinguish between various anthrax isolates, enabling faster identification of outbreak strains and potentially deterring future biological attacks. The discovery is part of a comprehensive database project aimed at analyzing natural variation in all major pathogens.
The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR) has completed the genome sequence of Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterium that causes serious infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, and otitis media. The study provides valuable insights into the bacterium's virulence factors and potential drug targets.
Researchers at TIGR have completed the genetic sequence of Deinococcus radiodurans, a bacteria that can withstand extreme environmental conditions. The study reveals its unique genome composition and large redundancy of repair functions, which may contribute to its exceptional radiation resistance.