Campylobacter Genome Project

This project is complete. Please see the production status page for links to public data.

Goals

The genomes of five well-characterized Campylobacter jejuni subsp. jejuni strains will be sequenced to 8-fold coverage and the genomes of four emerging infectious isolates of Campylobacter and the only known commensal of Campylobacter will be completed. This work will significantly expand and complement the Campylobacter comparative genome project that was completed in 2005. The strains we have chosen for sequencing possess significant genetic differences that influence their pathogenic potential or constitute a non-pathogenic reference for in silico genomic subtraction. The variety of diseases caused and virulence capabilities of these strains underscores the diversity within the species. It is anticipated that this wealth of information will help address fundamental questions about the genomic basis of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS), of pathogenesis of atypical/extraintestinal and emerging C. jejuni strains, of the diversity of Campylobacter spp. (and virulence mechanisms) causing human illness, and to determine the extent of gene transfer among Campylobacter spp., resulting in the emergence of non-C. jejuni subsp. jejuni infectious agents. Furthermore, this data will aid in forensic analysis in cases of bioterrorism by facilitating the generation of detection systems and supply targets for vaccine development.

Isolates

Strain selection was preformed after consultation with the Campylobacter scientific community resulting in the selection of ten Campylobacter strains that are targeted for genomic sequencing. Analysis of the genomic data will allow for examination of genetic differences, including gross chromosomal changes and individual polymorphisms, and their correlation to disease progression and outcomes caused by this important biodefense agent.

Investigators and Collaborators

Blaser, Dr. Martin J., M.D.	New York University School of Medicine, USA
DiRita, Victor J., Ph.D.	University of Michigan Medical School, USA
Dingle, Kate, Ph.D.	University of Oxford John Radcliffe Hospital, UK
Endtz, Hubert P., M.D.	Erasmus University Medical Center, The Netherlands
Fouts, Derrick E.	J. Craig Venter Institute
Gilbert, Michel, Ph.D.	National Research Council of Canada
Godschalk, Peggy C. R.	University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Guerry, Patricia, Ph.D.	Naval Medical Research Center, USA
Lastovica, Albert J., Ph.D.	University of Cape Town, South Africa
Mandrell, Robert E., Ph.D.	USDA Western Regional Research Center, USA
Miller, William G., Ph.D.	USDA Western Regional Research Center, USA
Mongodin, Emmanuel	Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Nachamkin, Irving, Dr.P.H., M.P.H.	University of Pennsylvania Health System, USA
Nelson, Karen E.	J. Craig Venter Institute
On, Stephen L. W., Ph.D.	Danish Institute for Food and Veterinary Research, Denmark
Szymanski, Christine, Ph.D.	National Research Council of Canada
Ussery, Dave, Ph.D.	Technical University of Denmark
Wassenaar, Trudy M., Ph.D.	Molecular Microbiology & Genomics Consultants, Germany
Wren, Brendan W., Ph.D.	London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
Yuki, Nobuhiro, Ph.D.	Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Japan