Overview
Introduction
The rapid identification of the genomic sequence of microorganisms provides a valuable resource for the scientific community. Genomic sequences, coupled with other biochemical and microbiological information, facilitate the identification of novel and specific targets for:
- improving strain identification and molecular genotyping,
- developing sequence-based detection technologies and diagnostics and
- developing therapeutic targets for new drugs and vaccines.
Comparative genomics (comparing the sequences of different strains, species, and clinical isolates) is vitally important in providing critical data to identify genetic polymorphisms that correlate with phenotypes such as drug resistance, virulence, and infectivity.
Centers
Contracts for Microbial Genome Sequencing Centers have been awarded to the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) (non-government link) and the Broad Institute (non-government link).
NIAID's Microbial Sequencing Centers (MSCs) address the Institute's need for additional sequencing of microorganisms and invertebrate vectors of disease that are considered agents of bioterrorism and/or responsible for emerging and re-emerging diseases.
The MSCs have the capacity to rapidly and cost-effectively sequence genomic DNA and provide preliminary identification of open reading frames and annotation of gene function for a wide variety of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa parasites, and fungi.
Large-scale pre-publication genome sequence information is a unique research resource for the scientific community, and rapid and unrestricted sharing of microbial genome sequence data is essential for advancing research on infectious agents responsible for human disease. Therefore, it is anticipated that pre-publication genome sequence data produced at the NIAID MSCs will be made freely and publicly available via deposition in an appropriate publicly searchable database as rapidly as possible.
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