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Genetic
map of Mycoplasma genitalium
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Humble microbes are assuming great
importance in genetic studies, thanks
to the Office of Science's Microbial
Genome Program, launched in 1994.
The program goal is to sequence microorganisms
of interest to DOE's energy and environmental
cleanup programs. The first genome
completed was that of Mycoplasma
genitalium, a tiny pathogen.
When the entire 580,000-unit DNA sequence
was completed, this free-living microbe
was discovered to have only 470 genes
that code for proteins. The human
genome, by comparison, recently was
estimated to contain some 30,000 genes
(less than one-third of previous estimates
but still a relatively large number).
The tiny genome of M. genitalium
is the smallest known for a self-replicating,
free-living organism, although even
smaller ones may exist. Mycoplasmas
are parasites for a wide range of
hosts, including humans, animals,
insects, and plants.
Scientific Impact:
: M. genitalium provides
researchers with a model for the minimum
number of genes and protein products
necessary for independent (host-free)
existence. Microbial genomics, now
one of the hottest fields in science,
may reverse the traditional paradigm
of biology, which until recently has
relied on deductions about a single
organism's genetic controls from observations
of behavior and inheritance.
Social Impact: Knowing
the minimum complement of genes an
organism needs to be free-living is
an essential step toward engineering
microbes for a wide range of practical
uses. These uses could support DOE
missions such as energy production
and environmental cleanup.
Reference: "The
minimal gene complement of Mycoplasma
genitalium," Fraser, C.M., Gocayne,
J.D., White, O., Adams, M.D., Clayton,
R.A., Fleischmann, R.D., Bult, C.J.,
Kerlavage, A.R., Sutton, G., Kelley,
J.M., et al., Science 270:397-403
(1995).
URL:
http://www.tigr.org/tigr-scripts/CMR2/GenomePage3.spl?database=gmg
Technical Contact:
Dr. Dan Drell, Life Sciences Division,
Office of Biological and Environmental
Research, 301-903-4742
Press Contact: Jeff
Sherwood, DOE Office of Public Affairs,
202-586-5806
SC-Funding Office:
Office of Biological and Environmental
Research |