Image Gallery DOE Microbial Genome Program Report

Margin Design.  Caulobacter crescentus is the most common nonpathogenic (does not cause disease) bacterium in nutrient-poor freshwater streams. In the swarmer phase of its three-phase life cycle, C. crescentus is motile and chemically sensitive, characteristics that help it locate nutrient sources. In its nonswarmer phase, it adheres to solid substrates such as rocks. Microbial Genome Program (MGP) scientists are determining the DNA sequence of the genome of C. crescentus, one of the organisms responsible for sewage treatment. The organism may then be modified for use as a bioremediation agent to remove heavy metals from wastewater streams. The MGP funds studies on microorganisms having potential for cleaning up toxic waste such as metals and chemicals from soil and groundwater contaminated during four decades of nuclear weapons production.
 

The online presentation of this 2000 publication is a special feature of the Human Genome Project Information Web site.