Pre_GI: SWBIT SVG BLASTN

Query: NC_008593:2457594 Clostridium novyi NT, complete genome

Lineage: Clostridium novyi; Clostridium; Clostridiaceae; Clostridiales; Firmicutes; Bacteria

General Information: This strain (NT) was created so that it lacks the lethal toxin. Injection of spores of this organism into mice harboring tumors resulted in an increased immune response and destruction of the tumor tissue in a method known as COBALT (combination bacteriolytic therapy) when the spores along with chemotherapeutic agents or radiation are co-administered. The anaerobic bacteria preferentially target hypoxic cancer tissue and stimulate immune responses to that tissue. This genus comprises about 150 metabolically diverse species of anaerobes that are ubiquitous in virtually all anoxic habitats where organic compounds are present, including soils, aquatic sediments and the intestinal tracts of animals and humans. This shape is attributed to the presence of endospores that develop under conditions unfavorable for vegetative growth and distend single cells terminally or sub-terminally. Spores germinate under conditions favorable for vegetative growth, such as anaerobiosis and presence of organic substrates. It is believed that present day Mollicutes (Eubacteria) have evolved regressively (i.e., by genome reduction) from gram-positive clostridia-like ancestors with a low GC content in DNA. Some species are capable of producing organic solvents (acetone, ethanol, etc,), molecular hydrogen and other useful compounds. Clostridium novyi is an anaerobic bacterium found in soil, aquatic sediments, and intestinal tract of both animals and humans. Some types produce lethal toxins.

Subject: NC_010725:1419272 Methylobacterium populi BJ001, complete genome

Lineage: Methylobacterium populi; Methylobacterium; Methylobacteriaceae; Rhizobiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria

General Information: This species was isolated from tissue cultures of Populus, the Poplar tree. Colonies are pink to red, and the red pigment is water insoluble. Species of the genus Methylobacterium are strictly aerobic, facultatively methylotrophic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that are able to grow on one-carbon compounds (e.g. methanol or methylamine), as well as on a variety of C2, C3 and C4 substrates. Only the type species, Methylobacterium organophilum, has been shown to use methane as the sole source of carbon and energy. Members of the genus are distributed in a wide variety of natural and man-made environments, including soil, air, dust, fresh- and marine water and sediments, water supplies, bathrooms, air-conditioning systems and masonry, and some are opportunistic human pathogens.