Project Number: 1930-32000-002-03
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Apr 01, 2004
End Date: Mar 31, 2007

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to identify virulence factors in the genome of Flavobacterium psychrophilum by use of DNA sequencing. Flavobacterium psychrophilum is the etiological agent of bacterial cold water disease. The disease causes significant production losses of rainbow trout and novel methods are urgently needed for control of this disease. Knowledge of the F. psychrophilum genome should serve as a foundation for future development of new vaccines, improved diagnostic tests, and novel therapeutics.

Approach:
Genomic DNA will be isolated from a virulent clone of Flavobacterium psychrophilum strain CSF-259-93 and random, large-insert and small-insert DNA libraries will be created. The DNA libraries will be used to generate clones for 10,000 sequencing reactions for low-coverage sequence analysis of the genome. Sequence data will be organized into contigs and preliminary annotation will be performed using the ERGO bioinformatics system developed by Integrated Genomics. Preliminary annotation will allow assessment of the metabolic and genetic organization of Flavobacterium psychrophilum. The partially assembled genome sequence will be available on the NCCCWA web site and a reference clone bank established.