Query: NC_016790:1345638 Corynebacterium diphtheriae VA01 chromosome, complete genome
Lineage: Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Corynebacterium; Corynebacteriaceae; Actinomycetales; Actinobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: They may be found as members of the normal microflora of humans, where these bacteria find a suitable niche in virtually every anatomic site. This organism is the best known and most widely studied species of the genus. It is the causal agent of the disease diphtheria, a deadly infectious disease spreading from person to person by respiratory droplets from the throat through coughing and sneezing. In the course of infection, the bacteria invade and colonize tissues of the upper respiratory tract, proliferate and produce exotoxin that inhibits protein synthesis and causes local lesions and systemic degenerative changes in the heart, muscles, peripheral nerves, liver and other vital organs.
Subject: NC_009512:4287605 Pseudomonas putida F1, complete genome
Lineage: Pseudomonas putida; Pseudomonas; Pseudomonadaceae; Pseudomonadales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This strain was isolated from a polluted creek in Urbana, Illinois, USA by enrichment culture with ethylbenzyne as a sole source of carbon and energy. Its ability to degrade several different compounds including benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene makes this species useful in the bioremediation of sites contaminated with multiple aromatic hydrocarbons. Underground gasoline tanks which have developed leaks can contaminate soil and water with a variety of these compounds. Bacteria belonging to the Pseudomonas group are common inhabitants of soil and water and can also be found on the surfaces of plants and animals. Pseudomonas bacteria are found in nature in a biofilm or in planktonic form. Pseudomonas bacteria are renowned for their metabolic versatility as they can grow under a variety of growth conditions and do not need any organic growth factors. As they are metabolically versatile, and well characterized, it makes them great candidates for biocatalysis, bioremediation and other agricultural applications. Certain strains have been used in the production of bioplastics.