Project name: Paraburkholderia xenovorans

Description: Burkholderia.Member of the genus Burkholderia are versatile organisms that occupy a surprisingly wide range of ecological niches. These bacteria are exploited for biocontrol, bioremediation, and plant growth promotion purposes. They are also considered a risk factor in cystic fibrosis patients. Burkholderia xenovorans.This organism has been found on fungi, animals, and from human clinical isolates such as from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. It may be tightly associated with white-rot fungus, as the degadation of lignin by the fungus results in aromatic compounds the bacterium can then degrade. This organism is exceptionally capable of degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are environmental pollutants, and thus it may play a role in bioremediation of polluted and toxic sites and is studied as a model bioremediator. PCBs can be utilized as the sole carbon and energy source by this organism. It has the ability to degrade xenobiotic compounds, such as halogenated aromatics. The pathways for degradation of PCBs have been extensively characterized at both the genetic and the molecular level and have become a model system for the bacterial breakdown of these very persistent environmental contaminants

Last updated: 2009-03-20