Query: NC_014640:6815264 Achromobacter xylosoxidans A8 chromosome, complete genome
Lineage: Achromobacter xylosoxidans; Achromobacter; Alcaligenaceae; Burkholderiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Achromobacter xylosoxidans strain A8 was isolated from soil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and is able to use 2-chlorobenzoate (2-CB) and 2,5-dichlorobenzoate (2,5-DCB) as sole sources of carbon and energy. Achromobacter xylosoxidans is a catalase- and oxidase-positive, motile, gram-negative rod that can cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients.
Subject: NC_012560:603447 Azotobacter vinelandii DJ, complete genome
Lineage: Azotobacter vinelandii; Azotobacter; Pseudomonadaceae; Pseudomonadales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This organism was first isolated from the soil in Vineland, New Jersey, although it is found worldwide. It is a large obligate aerobe that has one of the highest respiratory rates of any organism. Azotobacter vinelandii also produces a number of unusual nitrogenases which allow it to fix atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia, a compound it can then use as a nitrogen source. It protects the oxygen-sensitive nitrogenase enzymes through its high respiratory rate, which sequesters the nitrogenase complexes in an anoxic environment. This organism has a number of unusual characteristics. Under extreme environmental conditions, the cell will produce a cyst that is resistant to dessication and is surrounded by two capsular polysaccharide layers. This organism produces two industrially important polysaccharides, poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and alginate. PHB is a thermoplastic biopolymer, and alginate is used in the food industry. Alginate is also used by the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa to infect the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients.