Query: NC_007650:2429307 Burkholderia thailandensis E264 chromosome II, complete sequence
Lineage: Burkholderia thailandensis; Burkholderia; Burkholderiaceae; Burkholderiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This organism was originally isolated from a rice field sample in Thailand. Burkholderia thailandensis is a common soil saprophyte (lives on decaying organic matter in the soil). This bacterium is very similar to the human and animal pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei but appears to be avirulent. Distinguishing the two organisms is very difficult and may depend on using monoclonal antibodies to detect differences in exopolysaccharide production.
Subject: NC_007604:1383192 Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942, complete genome
Lineage: Synechococcus elongatus; Synechococcus; Synechococcaceae; Chroococcales; Cyanobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This strain is a freshwater organism and is extensively studied due to its circadian clock which controls the expression of upwards of 800 genes during a 24 hour period. These unicellular cyanobacteria are also known as blue green algae and along with Prochlorococcus are responsible for a large part of the carbon fixation that occurs in marine environments. Synechococcus have a broader distribution in the ocean and are less abundant in oligotrophic (low nutrient) regions. These organism utilize photosystem I and II to capture light energy. They are highly adapted to marine environments and some strains have evolved unique motility systems in order to propel themselves towards areas that contain nitrogenous compounds. An obligate photoautotroph, it has been studied extensively by an international research community with respect to acquisition of organic carbon, transport and regulation of nitrogen compounds, adaptation to nutrient stresses, and reponse to light intensity.