Query: NC_007517:1468719 Geobacter metallireducens GS-15, complete genome
Lineage: Geobacter metallireducens; Geobacter; Geobacteraceae; Desulfuromonadales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: First isolated from the Potomac river downstream of Washington, DC, USA in 1987. This organism actively moves towards metal attractants such as iron and manganese oxides, which are insoluble, and produces type IV pili for attachment to the insoluble substrates. Common metal-reducing bacterium. This organism, similar to what is observed in Geobacteria sulfurreducens, couples the oxidation of organic molecules to the reduction of iron by using insoluble Fe (III) as an electron acceptor under anaerobic conditions. This bacterium plays an imporant part of the nutrient cycling in aquatic environments. The cell can also use uranium and plutonium, therefore, this organism and may be important for the bioremediation of contaminated waste sites.
Subject: NC_004310:508483 Brucella suis 1330 chromosome I, complete sequence
Lineage: Brucella suis; Brucella; Brucellaceae; Rhizobiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: A swine isolate. Causes brucellosis, infectious abortions, fevers. They are highly infectious, and can be spread through contact with infected animal products or through the air, making them a potential bioterrorism agent. Once the organism has entered the body, it can become intracellular, and enter the blood and lymphatic regions, multiplying inside phagocytes before eventually causing bacteremia (spread of bacteria through the blood). Virulence may depend on a type IV secretion system which may promote intracellular growth by secreting important effector molecules. This organism is a swine-specific Brucella. It causes infectious abortions in animals and a systemic, febrile (feverish) illness in humans. Brucella suis is considered a potential bioterrorism agent and was the first pathogenic organism to be weaponized by the USA.