Diversa Corporation Completes Genome Sequencing of Smallest Organism Discovered to Date; Organism Described in the May 2, 2002 Journal Nature
Through its collaboration with the laboratory of Professor Karl Stetter of the University of Regensburg and Celera Genomics, an Applera Corporation business, Diversa (Nasdaq: DVSA - news) has completed the sequencing and annotation of the smallest archaeal genome discovered to date, Nanoarchaeum equitans.
The sequence of the genome may help to determine the minimal set of genes needed for an organism to survive, and in doing so, give insight into the origins of life and bacterial evolution and metabolism. Additionally, microbial engineering for commercial applications could be advanced through an understanding of the organism's genetic composition. Engineering organisms such as N. equitans may facilitate the development of products that can be used in biotransformations, as biosensors, for pharmaceutical synthesis, and for biodefense.
N. equitans was first identified in the laboratory of Professor Karl Stetter, who has been a member of Diversa's Scientific Advisory Board since its founding. Stetter and his colleagues published a paper describing the organism in the May 2, 2002 edition of Nature.
Key Information:
-- N. equitans represents the smallest genome sequenced to date at less
than 500 kilobases.
-- The organism, a hyperthermophilic archeon, was discovered in a
submarine hydrothermal vent in the Kolbeinsey ridge, north of Iceland.
-- Diversa has retained the rights to commercial applications of the
organism and to make use of the genome sequence using its proprietary
genomic technologies. |
