Query: NC_012803:1552122 Micrococcus luteus NCTC 2665, complete genome
Lineage: Micrococcus luteus; Micrococcus; Micrococcaceae; Actinomycetales; Actinobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Temp: Mesophile; Habitat: Soil. Micrococcus luteus NCTC 2665 has potential in bioremediation due to its ability to sequester metals (i.e. gold and strontium), and it is being used for gold concentration from low-abundance ores. Micrococcus luteus was originally isolated by Alexander Fleming in 1929 as Micrococcus lysodeikticus. This organism can be found in many environments including soil, water, animals, and dairy products. Micrococcus luteus is able to survive in the environment for long periods and has been isolated from inclusions in amber.
Subject: NC_010263:278463 Rickettsia rickettsii str. Iowa, complete genome
Lineage: Rickettsia rickettsii; Rickettsia; Rickettsiaceae; Rickettsiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Causative agent for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. This organism was first identified by Dr. Howard Rickets as the causative agent of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which was originally named for its geographic distribution at the time, it is now known to be widespread throughout the North American continent. This bacterium is an obligate intracellular pathogen that infects primarily the vascular endothelium, and occasionally smooth muscle tissue. It is passed to the human host from a tick bite, and the tick acts as both a natural reservoir and a vector for disease transmission. Once the organism is endocytosed by the host cell, it quickly escapes the phagozome, and replicates intracellularly, causing cell death and tissue damage. The disease is characterized by a spotted rash and has a high mortality rate if left untreated.