title: Genome sequence completed of Alcanivorax borkumensis, a hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium that plays a global role in oil removal from marine systems.
abstract: In this paper, we provide background to the genome sequencing project of Alcanivorax borkumensis, which is a marine bacterium that uses exclusively petroleum oil hydrocarbons as sources of carbon and energy (therefore designated "hydrocarbonoclastic"). It is found in low numbers in all oceans of the world and in high numbers in oil-contaminated waters. Its ubiquity and unusual physiology suggest it is globally important in the removal of hydrocarbons from polluted marine systems. A functional genomics analysis of Alcanivorax borkumensis strain SK2 was recently initiated, and its genome sequence has just been completed. Annotation of the genome, metabolome modelling, and functional genomics, will soon reveal important insights into the genomic basis of the properties and physiology of this fascinating and globally important bacterium.
authors.affiliation: Division of Microbiology, GBF-German Research Centre for Biotechnology, Mascheroder Weg 1, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Golyshin
authors.forename: Vitor A P
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Martins Dos Santos
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: Yulia S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Sabirova
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lünsdorf
authors.forename: Tatyana N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Chernikova
authors.forename: Olga V
authors.initials: OV
authors.lastname: Golyshina
authors.forename: Michail M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Yakimov
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pühler
authors.forename: Kenneth N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Timmis
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D044129:Halomonadaceae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008386:Marine Biology / Q000379:methods; D012623:Seawater / Q000382:microbiology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013045:Species Specificity; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D006838:Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical