Current Research:

All of these bacteria represent food fermentation-related bacteria whose genomes are being sequenced by the US Department of Energy's Joint Genome Institute. This project was initiated by Dr. David Mills, from the University of California at Davis, and Dr. Bart Weimer from Utah State University. They formed a nationwide consortium, termed the Lactic Acid Bacteria Genome Consortium (LABGC) that is comprised of experts in the biology of each bacterium selected for sequencing (see list below). In setting up this impressive project with JGI, LABGC hopes to advance genomic study on lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (and other food fermentation microbes). A specific aim of the group is to gain a more comprehensive understanding of LAB genetics and physiology, particularly in relation to their role in generation of fermented foods and beverages. Another is to identify and/or enhance the beneficial roles of LAB in food preservation, food safety and human/animal health.

Lactobacillus casei	Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Oenococcus oeni	Lactobacillus brevis
Pediococcus pentosaceus	Brevibacterium linens

Bacteria to be sequenced and associated LABGC members include:

Lactococcus cremoris - Larry McKay/Bart Weimer: University of Minnesota/Utah State University

Leuconostoc mesenteroides - Fred Breidt: North Carolina State University

Lactobacillus gasseri - Todd Klaenhammer: North Carolina State University

Bifidobacterium longum - Dan O'Sullivan: University of Minnesota

Lactobacillus brevis - Milton Saier: University California, San Diego

Lactobacillus bulgaricus - Jim Steele: University of Wisconsin

Lactobacillus casei - Jeff Broadbent: Utah State University

Oenococcus oeni - David Mills: University of California, Davis

Pediococcus pentosaceus - LABGC group

Brevibacterium linens - Bart Weimer: Utah State University

Streptococcus thermophilus - Robert Hutkins: University of Nebraska

More information can be found at the US Department of Energy's Joint Genome Institute-http://www.jgi.doe.gov and http://www.jgi.doe.gov/JGI_microbial/html/index.html

The LABGC is extremely thankful to Dr. Trevor Hawkins, the (soon to be) former Director of JGI, as well as the JGI staff, for their unfailing and vital support to see this project realized.