The Pseudomonas aeruginosa Genome
In the 2 years since the complete sequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1 was published, at least 200 papers have been published describing research that made use of the PAO1 genome sequence. Some of this research included genome-wide studies of gene expression or the effect of mutation on bacterial functions such as biofilm formation; this type of global analysis would not have been possible without the availability of the sequence. As a result of these and other, more traditional, research studies, there is a wealth of new knowledge about the physiology of this pathogen. This raises the possibility of new strategies for the treatment of patients with P. aeruginosa infection, either by novel antibiotics or by drugs targeting bacterial functions essential for survival and virulence in the human host.
The sequencing and gene annotation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa represents a significant advance in our ability to study this opportunistic pathogen. How does one apply the new genomic information to the discovery and development of new treatment strategies for human diseases caused by this organism? The propensity of P. aeruginosa (PA) to establish chronic pulmonary infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is of particular interest. Approximately 70% of patients with CF in the US are chronically infected with PA, often with multiple strains, and it is generally accepted that chronic bacterial lung infections accelerate the deterioration of lung function that ultimately accounts for approximately 85% of all CF-related deaths.
In the 2 years since the complete sequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1 was published, at least 200 papers have been published describing research that made use of the PAO1 genome sequence. Some of this research included genome-wide studies of gene expression or the effect of mutation on bacterial functions such as biofilm formation; this type of global analysis would not have been possible without the availability of the sequence. As a result of these and other, more traditional, research studies, there is a wealth of new knowledge about the physiology of this pathogen. This raises the possibility of new strategies for the treatment of patients with P. aeruginosa infection, either by novel antibiotics or by drugs targeting bacterial functions essential for survival and virulence in the human host.
The sequencing and gene annotation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa represents a significant advance in our ability to study this opportunistic pathogen. How does one apply the new genomic information to the discovery and development of new treatment strategies for human diseases caused by this organism? The propensity of P. aeruginosa (PA) to establish chronic pulmonary infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is of particular interest. Approximately 70% of patients with CF in the US are chronically infected with PA, often with multiple strains, and it is generally accepted that chronic bacterial lung infections accelerate the deterioration of lung function that ultimately accounts for approximately 85% of all CF-related deaths.
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