Microbial Genome Sequencing: Gene Discovery and Mapping Tools for Ichthyophthirius: A Complementary DNA Resource

在这个项目中，全长cDNA的档案代表的优势基因表达的寄生纤毛虫Ichthyophthirius multifiliis的生命周期将进行测序。小瓜虫（Ichthyophthirius，Ich）是淡水鱼的主要病原菌，对国内外水产养殖业产生重大影响。 同时，它在分类学和生活方式方面代表了一个非常有趣的生物系统。在过去的50年里，纤毛虫为我们理解细胞和分子生物学做出了巨大贡献。 尽管如此，作为一个整体的门的基因组序列数据存在的匮乏。 高通量测序的努力，目前预定为3个自由生活的物种（即，四膜虫thermophila，草履虫tetraurelia和Oxytricha trifallax），在这个项目中进行的工作应该借给纤毛虫生物学和进化的一个更完整的理解。 此外，该项目预计将对I.的毒力和寄生性的本质产生根本性的见解。最终导致更有效的治疗疾病。 最后，该项目将完全在学术环境中进行，并将包括在生物信息学，计算生物学和分子遗传学等一系列学科中对本科生进行培训。

In this project, an archive of full-length cDNAs representing the preponderance of genes expressed during the life cycle of the parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis will be sequenced. Ichthyophthirius (known commonly as Ich) is a major pathogen of freshwater fish and has substantial impact on aquaculture in this country and abroad. At the same time, it represents an extremely interesting biological system with respect to its taxonomy and life style. Over the past 50 years, the ciliates have contributed enormously to our understanding of cellular and molecular biology. Despite this, a paucity of genomic sequence data exists for the phylum as a whole. High-throughput sequencing efforts are currently slated for 3 free-living species (namely, Tetrahymena thermophila, Paramecium tetraurelia and Oxytricha trifallax), and the work undertaken in this project should lend to a more complete understanding of ciliate biology and evolution. In addition, the project is expected to yield fundamental insights into the nature of virulence and parasitism in I. multifiliis leading ultimately to more effective treatments against disease. Finally, the project will be conducted entirely within an academic setting and will include the training of undergraduate students in a range of disciplines that spans bioinformatics, computational biology and molecular genetics.