Genome Evolution in Large, Reproductively Diverse Bacteria in the Epulopiscium Family

海鱼属是已知的最大的细菌之一，一些雪茄形的细胞达到超过0.6毫米的长度。它们的亲戚是肠内共生体，特别与外科鱼科中某些热带珊瑚鱼有关。它们是栖息在鱼中的微生物群落的显著和常见的组成部分，并且它们有助于消化由其鱼宿主消耗的多糖。 Angert实验室一直在使用Epulopiscium sp. B型作为细胞、发育和进化生物学研究的模型。 这种生物体在更好地理解简单的细菌细胞如何在其细胞结构和组织中进行微小变化以使其达到巨大尺寸方面发挥了关键作用。 目前的项目旨在通过完成Epulopiscium sp. B型的基因组序列来进一步改进这一实验系统。 这些努力将为在细胞和发育生物学背景下研究这些特殊细菌的遗传潜力提供重要资源。 将表征活跃生长的Epulopiscium sp. B型群体中的基因表达，以鉴定支持细胞生长和代谢所必需的基因。这一概况将为改进在实验室培养中培养这些细菌的方法提供基础。更广泛的影响：该项目为博士后和本科生研究助理提供了重要的教育和培训机会。 所有学员将获得分子生物学，微生物学，DNA序列分析和基本生物信息学工具的应用经验。 通过研究报告，手稿和提案准备，学员将发展他们的沟通技巧。 根据项目的不同，个人将获得生物信息学，进化生物学和基因组学方面更广泛的经验。 这样的研究经历对一个年轻科学家的发展是必不可少的。

Epulopiscium spp. are among the largest known bacteria with some cigar-shaped cells reaching lengths in excess of 0.6 mm. Epulopiscium spp. and their relatives are intestinal symbionts associated specifically with certain species of tropical reef fish in the surgeonfish family. They are a conspicuous and usual component of the community of microorganisms that inhabit the fish and they contribute to the digestion of polysaccharides consumed by their fish host. The Angert Lab has been using Epulopiscium sp. type B as a model for studies of cell, developmental and evolutionary biology. This organism has been key in providing a better understanding of how a simple bacterial cell can make small changes in its cellular structure and organization to allow it to reach its tremendous size. The current project seeks to improve this experimental system further by completing the genome sequence of Epulopiscium sp. type B. These efforts will yield an important resource for studying the genetic potential of these exceptional bacteria in the context of cell and developmental biology. Gene expression in actively growing populations of Epulopiscium sp. type B will be characterized to identify genes that are essential for supporting cell growth and metabolism. This profile will provide the basis for improving methods to grow these bacteria in laboratory culture.Broader impacts: This project provides significant educational and training opportunities for postdoctoral and undergraduate research assistants. All trainees will gain experience in molecular biology, microbiology, DNA sequence analysis, and the application of basic bioinformatics tools. Through research presentations, manuscript and proposal preparation, trainees will develop their communication skills. Depending on the project, an individual will gain more extensive experience in bioinformatics, evolutionary biology, and genomics. Such research experiences are essential for the development of a young scientist.