Vampirovibrio chlorellavorus in yellow on host in green. (Courtesy of Judith Brown)
The non-photosynthetic, predatory cyanobacterium Vampirovibrio chlorellavorus (Melainabacteria) is a globally important obligate pathogen of Chlorella species/strains of interest as biofuel feedstocks. This project proposes two sequencing approaches to generate information for querying: (i) pathogen and host genomics; and, (ii) the mode of infection and host reaction to infection via transcriptomics); and, (iii) explore evolution and taxonomic status. The project is aligned with DOE programs: algal genomics, microbial genomics, and metagenomics by addressing plant biofuels, fundamental algal biology, phylogenomics, and cyanobacterial interactions in biogeochemical cycles.
Proposer: Judith Brown, The University of Arizona
Proposal: Characterizing infections and host-pathogen interactions of Chlorella spp. by the predatory algal bacterial pathogen, Vampirovibrio chlorellavorus