Query: NC_014551:483773 Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DSM 7, complete genome
Lineage: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens; Bacillus; Bacillaceae; Bacillales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: Originally isolated from infested soil in Germany. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is a member of a group of free-living soil bacteria known to promote plant growth and suppress plant pathogens. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is able to degrade myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (phytate), making phosphorus more available to plants. This organism also produces antifungal and antibacterial substances, such as bacillomycin D, surfactin, and bacillaene, which protect the plant from pathogenic organisms. In addition, proteases and amylases produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens are used in industrial applications.
Subject: 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.