The scope of this project is to elucidate the mechanism of lignocellulose hydrolysis in the termite hindgut. Termites are able to efficiently transform plant biomass (lignocellulose) to valuable metabolites (eg, hydrogen and methane). Understanding the microorganisms and biochemical pathways that they use for this conversion may lead to more efficient strategies for converting biomass to useful fuels and chemicals.
DNA was extracted from proctodeal segment 3 (P3) gut lumen fluid collected from the higher termite (Genus Nasutitermes). The specimens were collected in Costa Rica (N10.11.260 W083.51.345) at 310 m altitude.
The following GenBank Accession Numbers correspond with this study:
EF453758-EF455009 16S ribosomal RNA sequences
EU024891-EU024927 fosmid clones
EF428062-EF428109 glycoside hydrolase family genes
The WGS project can be found using the Project data link. Less...