title: Genomic analysis of three Bifidobacterium species isolated from the calf gastrointestinal tract.
abstract: Ruminant animals contribute significantly to the global value of agriculture and rely on a complex microbial community for efficient digestion. However, little is known of how this microbial-host relationship develops and is maintained. To begin to address this, we have determined the ability of three Bifidobacterium species isolated from the faeces of newborn calves to grow on carbohydrates typical of a newborn ruminant diet. Genome sequences have been determined for these bacteria with analysis of the genomes providing insights into the host association and identification of several genes that may mediate interactions with the ruminant gastrointestinal tract. The present study provides a starting point from which we can define the role of potential beneficial microbes in the nutrition of young ruminants and begin to influence the interactions between the microbiota and the host. The differences observed in genomic content hint at niche partitioning among the bifidobacterial species analysed and the different strategies they employ to successfully adapt to this habitat.
authors.affiliation: AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Adrian L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Cookson
authors.affiliation: AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Altermann
authors.affiliation: AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Suzanne C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lambie
authors.affiliation: AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Rechelle
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.affiliation: AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Koon Hoong
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Teh
authors.affiliation: AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Don E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Otter
authors.affiliation: Department of Energy, Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California 94598, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Energy, Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California 94598, USA.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Woyke
authors.affiliation: AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Sinead C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Leahy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D002417:Cattle; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S