Bacteria Genomes - GEOBACTER SULFURREDUCENS

Geobacter sulfurreducens, a delta-proteobacterium, is an obligately anaerobic, nonfermentative nonmotile, Gram-negative rod.

Geobacter species are of interest because of their novel electron transfer capabilities, impact on the natural environment and their application to the bioremediation of contaminated environments and harvesting electricity from waste organic matter.

Geobacter species are also of interest because of their role in environmental restoration. Geobacter species can destroy petroleum contaminants in polluted groundwater by oxidising these compounds to harmless carbon dioxide. Researchers funded by the U.S. Department of Energy have used the microbe to reduce uranium in the water at Rifle Mill by over 70 percent and further research this past summer reduced uranium in water at the site by 90 percent. (During the Cold War, the United States produced uranium for its nuclear weapons at Rifle Mill in Western Colorado. The mine closed in 1972).

This genome offers a phylogenetic framework for evolutionary studies on metal ion reduction.

References:

Science 302 (5652):1967-9 (2003)
http://www.geobacter.org
http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/sequenced_genomes/genome_guide_p1a.shtml