Microbial Genome Sequencing: Comparative Whole Genome Sequencing of Grain Weevil Endosymbionts

本项目的主要目的是确定两种密切相关的细菌内共生菌的全基因组序列，这两种细菌与玉米象和米象是专性共生的。虽然这两种细菌内共生体都没有在实验室培养，但它们的DNA将直接从昆虫组织中提取，并在犹他大学基因组中心使用自动化的高通量程序进行测序。序列数据将被注释、分析，并通过NCBI微生物基因组数据库向公众开放。比较生物信息学分析将对完整的内共生体基因组序列进行，以了解象鼻虫的生活史和生活方式。在我们星球上广泛的微生物生命的背景下，象鼻虫内共生体是重要的，原因有很多。一个多世纪以来，它们一直是共生研究的模型系统，有100多篇科学论文描述了涉及该系统的研究。宿主和内共生体之间的相互作用也将作为研究退化进化过程的模型，已知退化进化过程会影响动植物有益和有害细菌的基因组。最后，象鼻虫本身是储粮的主要害虫。由于象鼻虫的侵扰，每年造成数十亿美元的损失。象鼻虫内共生体全基因组序列的可用性将提供对象鼻虫宿主及其细菌伴侣之间生物相互作用的理解。这将有助于制定新的虫害防治战略。目前的项目为生物信息学、基因组学和进化领域的高中生、本科生和研究生提供了大量的培训机会。学生将有机会与包括生物学、计算机科学和工程学在内的广泛学科的科学家互动。

The major aim of this project is to determine the complete genome sequences of two closely related bacterial endosymbionts that live in obligate symbiosis with the grain weevils Sitophilus zeamais and Sitophilus oryzae. Although neither of these bacterial endosymbionts have been cultured in the laboratory, their DNA will be extracted directly from insect tissues and sequenced using automated, high-throughput procedures at the University of Utah Genome Center. The sequence data will be annotated, analyzed and made accessible to the public through the NCBI microbial genomes database. Comparative bioinformatic analyses will be performed on the complete endosymbiont genome sequences to understand the life histories and lifestyles of the weevil endosymbionts. In the context of the wide array of microbial life on our planet the weevil endosymbionts are important for a number of reasons. They have served as a model system in symbiosis research for over a century, with more than 100 scientific papers describing studies involving this system. Interaction between host and endosymbiont also will serve as a model for the study of degenerative evolutionary processes known to affect the genomes of both beneficial and harmful bacterial associates of animals and plants. Finally, the weevils themselves are major insect pests of stored grain products. Many billions of dollars are lost each year as a result of weevil infestation. The availability of the complete genome sequences of the weevil endosymbionts will provide an understanding of biological interplay between the weevil hosts and their bacterial partners. This should prove useful in the development of new pest control strategies. The current project offers numerous opportunities for the training of high-school students along with undergraduate and postgraduate university students in the fields of bioinformatics, genomics and evolution. Students will have opportunities to interact with scientists from a wide range of disciplines including biology, computer science and engineering.