Why Sequence Microbes?

Microbes, the oldest form of life on Earth, inhabit nearly every environment and can thrive under extreme conditions of heat, cold, pressure, and radiation. Although microbes represent the vast majority of life on the planet, more than 99% have not been cultured, and consequently their genomic diversity has been largely unrecognized and unutilized. By studying their DNA, scientists hope to find ways to use microbes to develop new pharmaceutical and agricultural products, energy sources, industrial processes, and solutions to a variety of environmental problems.

Microbes sequenced by DOE JGI have far-reaching implications for addressing such DOE mission challenges as the remediation of radioactive and hazardous waste sites, sequestering heat-trapping carbon from the atmosphere, and developing renewable energy sources.

Most microbes of interest to DOE are sequenced at JGI. The DOE publishes a list of all DOE microbes (PDF file) completed and in progress to date. This list includes more than 485 microbial genomes and 30 microbial communities having specialized biological capabilities sequenced by the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information about microbial genomics at the U.S. Department of Energy, see http://microbialgenomics.energy.gov/