Microbial Genome Sequencing Program

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The Microbial Genome Sequencing Program is a collaborative interagency activity of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The program supports (i) high-throughput sequencing of the genomes of a broad range of microorganisms (including plasmids, viruses, bacteria, archaea, fungi, oomycetes, protists, microeukaryotes and agriculturally important nematodes) and the metagenomes of microbial communities and (ii) the development and implementation of strategies, tools and technologies to make currently available genome sequences more valuable to the user community. The newly acquired sequences are expected to be made available and used by a community of investigators to address issues of scientific and societal importance including:Novel aspects of microbial biochemistry, physiology, metabolism, development and cellular biology;The diversity and the roles microorganisms play in complex ecosystems and in global geochemical cycles;The impact that microorganisms have on the productivity and sustainability of agriculture and natural resources (e.g., forestry, soil and water), and on the safety and quality of the nation's food supply; andThe organization and evolution of microbial genomes, and the mechanisms of transmission, exchange and reshuffling of genetic information.The development and implementation of strategies, tools and technologies are expected to significantly enhance the value of existing and novel genome sequences.This program is part of The Microbe Project, a coordinated effort of multiple federal agencies to promote genome-enabled microbial science. (See http://www.microbeproject.gov.)

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