Genome Sequences | Barney Bioproducts Lab

Model Algae Strains

We have sequenced and annotated two strains of green algae, Micractinium conductrix SAG 241.80 and Chlorella sorokiniana UTEX 1602. By doing so we hope to uncover the pathways that are responsible for an interesting phenotype where at low pH, M. conductrix secretes sugars into the extracellular space. We also sequenced C. sorokiniana as a reference strain, as it does not secrete sugars. We sequenced both strains with PacBio and Illumina and also performed RNA Seq on both organisms at high and low pH to compare their transcriptomes.

Micractinium conductrix SAG 241.80
Chlorella sorokiniana UTEX 1602
Chaetoceros gracilis (underway)
Scenedesmus sp. PABB004 (underway)
Nitschia sp. BA104 (underway)

Algae Degrading Bacteria

We isolated several bacteria that were able to degrade cells of two green algae strains and resulted in an improvement in the yields of lipids released during gentle extraction. We sequenced these using Illumina sequencing to obtain draft genome sequences.

Cellulose Degrading Bacteria

We sampled various Minnesota freshwater ponds to isolate bacterial strains that can utilize cellulose as their sole carbon source. By sequencing their genomes, we hope to learn more about the genes that allow for this phenotype and possibly use these pathways for novel bioremediation and biotechnological processes.

Formate Degrading Bacteria

We have isolated several bacteria that are able to grow on formate as a sole carbon source. These Pink-Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs are ubiquitous in nature, and are often found associated with plants.

Polymer Degrading Bacteria

We are currently undertaking a larger project to sequence a range of bacteria and fungi that are capable of degrading different polymers and plastics. This should result in a significant expansion of this section.