Query: NC_015474:644552 Pyrococcus sp. NA2 chromosome, complete genome
Lineage: Pyrococcus; Pyrococcus; Thermococcaceae; Thermococcales; Euryarchaeota; Archaea
General Information: Pyrococcus has similar characteristics of other thermoautotrophican archaea such as Archaeoglobus, and Methanococcus in the respect that they are all thermophilic and anaerobic. Pyrococcus differs, however, because its optimal growth temperature is nearly 100 °C and dwells at a greater sea depth than the other archaea. Studying Pyrococcus helps give insight to possible mechanisms used to endure extreme environmental conditions like high temperatures and high pressure.
Subject: NC_004311:1096649 Brucella suis 1330 chromosome II, 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.