Jun Lin1,2,3,4, Wenqian Jiang1,3, Lin Chen1,3, Huilian Zhang1,3, Yang Shi1,3, Xin Liu1,3, Weiwen Cai5,6. 1. Institute of Applied Genomics, Fuzhou University, No.2 Xueyuan Road, Fuzhou, 350108, China. 2. School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, No.1 Xuefubei Road, Fuzhou, 350122, China. 3. College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, No.2 Xueyuan Road, Fuzhou, 350108, China. 4. Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Enzyme Engineering, Fuzhou University, No.2 Xueyuan Road, Fuzhou, 350108, China. 5. Institute of Applied Genomics, Fuzhou University, No.2 Xueyuan Road, Fuzhou, 350108, China. caiww@fzu.edu.cn. 6. College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, No.2 Xueyuan Road, Fuzhou, 350108, China. caiww@fzu.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Genetic resources are important natural assets. Discovery of new enzyme gene sequences has been an ongoing effort in biotechnology industry. In the genomic age, genomes of microorganisms from various environments have been deciphered. Increasingly, it has become more and more difficult to find novel enzyme genes. In this work, we attempted to use the easily accessible banknotes to search for novel microbial gene sequences. RESULTS: We used high-throughput genomic sequencing technology to comprehensively characterize the diversity of microorganisms on the US dollars and Chinese Renminbis (RMBs). In addition to finding a vast diversity of microbes, we found a significant number of novel gene sequences, including an unreported superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene, whose catalytic activity was further verified by experiments. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that banknotes could be a good and convenient genetic resource for finding economically valuable biologicals.
BACKGROUND: Genetic resources are important natural assets. Discovery of new enzyme gene sequences has been an ongoing effort in biotechnology industry. In the genomic age, genomes of microorganisms from various environments have been deciphered. Increasingly, it has become more and more difficult to find novel enzyme genes. In this work, we attempted to use the easily accessible banknotes to search for novel microbial gene sequences. RESULTS: We used high-throughput genomic sequencing technology to comprehensively characterize the diversity of microorganisms on the US dollars and Chinese Renminbis (RMBs). In addition to finding a vast diversity of microbes, we found a significant number of novel gene sequences, including an unreported superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene, whose catalytic activity was further verified by experiments. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that banknotes could be a good and convenient genetic resource for finding economically valuable biologicals.
Authors: Zachary Charlop-Powers; Clara C Pregitzer; Christophe Lemetre; Melinda A Ternei; Jeffrey Maniko; Bradley M Hover; Paula Y Calle; Krista L McGuire; Jeanne Garbarino; Helen M Forgione; Sarah Charlop-Powers; Sean F Brady Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2016-11-28 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Yoshitaro Heshiki; Thrimendra Dissanayake; Tingting Zheng; Kang Kang; Ni Yueqiong; Zeling Xu; Chinmoy Sarkar; Patrick C Y Woo; Billy K C Chow; David Baker; Aixin Yan; Christopher J Webster; Gianni Panagiotou; Jun Li Journal: Front Microbiol Date: 2017-04-13 Impact factor: 5.640
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