Abstract

The complete DNA sequences of the genomes of Fusobacterium nucleatum and Bacteroides forsythus will be determined and analyzed for putative coding regions and possible functions of the gene products. These two bacteria are important in oral microbiology including diseases such as periodontitis. They have been targeted for DNA sequence analysis by a strategic planning workshop for oral infectious diseases of the NIDCR. Oral infectious diseases often are polymicrobial in nature and result from disturbances in the microbial ecology of the oral cavity. Understanding this ecology, both in terms of the capabilities of the normal oral flora as well as their interactions, is crucial to diagnosis, prevention, and cure of such diseases. As a first step, elucidating the complete genetic content of important members of the oral flora will provide a wealth of information that can lead to a profoundly deeper picture of the physiology of these microbes, their virulence factors, mechanism of biofilm formation, as well as their other capacities for interaction with the host and each other. Once the genomic sequences are determined and analyzed they will be made available to the research community through an online database with a number of tools to facilitate data retrieval. During the course of the project there will also be ongoing release of preliminary data.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
7R01DE013759-03
Application #
6761327
Study Section
Microbial Physiology and Genetics Subcommittee 2 (MBC)
Project Start
2000-09-21
Project End
2003-08-31
Budget Start
2001-11-01
Budget End
2003-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$269,974
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Baylor College of Medicine
Department
Genetics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
074615394
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77030

  Publications

Zobaníková, Marie; Mikolka, Pavol; Cejková, Darina et al. (2012) Complete genome sequence of Treponema pallidum strain DAL-1. Stand Genomic Sci 7:12-21
Cejkova, Darina; Zobanikova, Marie; Chen, Lei et al. (2012) Whole genome sequences of three Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue strains: yaws and syphilis treponemes differ in less than 0.2% of the genome sequence. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 6:e1471
Šmajs, David; Zobaníková, Marie; Strouhal, Michal et al. (2011) Complete genome sequence of Treponema paraluiscuniculi, strain Cuniculi A: the loss of infectivity to humans is associated with genome decay. PLoS One 6:e20415
Mikalova, Lenka; Strouhal, Michal; Cejkova, Darina et al. (2010) Genome analysis of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum and subsp. pertenue strains: most of the genetic differences are localized in six regions. PLoS One 5:e15713
Matejkova, Petra; Strouhal, Michal; Smajs, David et al. (2008) Complete genome sequence of Treponema pallidum ssp. pallidum strain SS14 determined with oligonucleotide arrays. BMC Microbiol 8:76
Karpathy, Sandor E; Qin, Xiang; Gioia, Jason et al. (2007) Genome sequence of Fusobacterium nucleatum subspecies polymorphum - a genetically tractable fusobacterium. PLoS One 2:e659
Strouhal, Michal; Smajs, David; Matejkova, Petra et al. (2007) Genome differences between Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum strain Nichols and T. paraluiscuniculi strain Cuniculi A. Infect Immun 75:5859-66
Kinder Haake, Susan; Yoder, Sean; Gerardo, Sharon Hunt (2006) Efficient gene transfer and targeted mutagenesis in Fusobacterium nucleatum. Plasmid 55:27-38
Smajs, David; McKevitt, Matthew; Howell, Jerrilyn K et al. (2005) Transcriptome of Treponema pallidum: gene expression profile during experimental rabbit infection. J Bacteriol 187:1866-74
Smajs, D; Smarda, J; Weinstock, G M (2003) The Escherichia fergusonii iucABCD iutA genes are located within a larger chromosomal region similar to pathogenicity Islands. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 48:139-47

Showing the most recent 10 out of 11 publications