Query: NC_008048:2838769 Sphingopyxis alaskensis RB2256, complete genome
Lineage: Sphingopyxis alaskensis; Sphingopyxis; Sphingomonadaceae; Sphingomonadales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Isolated from Resurrection Bay in the Gulf of Alaska. It is a model oligotrophic organism and forms a very small cell size. his genus was created from the Sphingomonas genus on the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic characteristics. Sphingopyxis alaskensis is one of the most numerically abundant microbes found in oligotrophic marine waters and is an important contributor of biomass.
Subject: NC_007880:1703346 Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica, complete genome
Lineage: Francisella tularensis; Francisella; Francisellaceae; Thiotrichales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This strain (live vaccine strain) was created in the 1960's in the USA and provides protection against tularemia in animal models as well as in humans. Causative agent of tularemia. This organism was first identified by Edward Francis as the causative agent of a plague-like illness that affected squirrels in Tulare county in California in the early part of the 20th century. The organism now bears his name. The disease, which has been noted throughout recorded history, can be transmitted to humans by infected ticks or deerflies, infected meat, or by aerosol, and thus is a potential bioterrorism agent. This organism has a high infectivity rate, and can invade phagocytic and nonphagocytic cells, multiplying rapidly. Once within a macrophage, the organism can escape the phagosome and live in the cytosol. It is an aquatic organism, and can be found living inside protozoans, similar to what is observed with Legionella.