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Project Progress

The genome sequence of Methanococcus maripaludis is key to studying the evolution of the methanococcal lineage. The genome sequence has been completed and made publically available. A paper on the functional annotation has been submited. Another goal of the project is to use the genetic tools available for M. maripaludis, in concert with the genome sequence, to identify the minimal set of genes that is essential for viability. For this purpose and others, we have devised an efficient method for producing gene deletions in M. maripaludis. We have also carried out an analysis of lateral transfer of genes involved in utilization of alanine as a nitrogen source. A paper has been submitted that combines the latter two advances, focusing on the alanine utilization genes for mutagenesis and phylogeneitc analysis.