Project Number: 3620-41000-121-05
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jul 01, 2007
End Date: Dec 31, 2009

Objective:
To annotate and characterize the genome of Lactobacillus buchneri in order to predict the inherent metabolism of this novel biocatalyst for the purpose of optimizing conversion of biomass to biofuel and bioproducts. An additional aim is to generate necessary data for submission of a peer reviewed research paper in which the genome sequence data is presented.

Approach:
Through a previous collaboration between Dr. Mills and ARS, the L. buchneri genome will be sequenced by the Joint Genome Institute. The Mills lab will work with ARS to do several in silico analyses. This will include, reconstruction of the L. buchneri metabolism with specific emphasis on sugar fermentation pathways, endproduct production pathways and cell redox systems. In addition the Mills lab will carry out comparative genomic analyses to existing lactic acid bacterial genomes and train Dr. Liu in bioinformatics techniques. The goal of this effort is twofold. The first will be to develop appropriate bioinformatics data to enable a peer reviewed publication on the L. buchneri genome. The second will be to identify genes/gene systems in L. buchneri that are targets for additional biocatalyst improvement via metabolic engineering methods.