B.S.A - Saskatoon M.Sc. - Saskatoon Ph.D. - McGill

This area of research has increased excitement because the genomes of the major ruminal bacteria have now been sequenced providing a major step in our ability to study key aspects of their metabolism. We contributed to the sequencing and annotation of the genome of Fibrobacter succinogenes strain S85. Recent contributions have included: Proteomic characterization of the major proteins/enzymes involved in plant cell wall digestion with primary emphasis on cellulose digestion. Studies on the synergistic interactions of Fibrobacter succinogenes cellulase enzymes. Comparative genomics of the F. succinogenes and Fibrobacter intestinalis by both forward and reverse suppressive subtractive hybridization. Application of microbial genes to enhance digestion in monogastric food animals. This research has been funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Qi, M., H.-S. Jun, and C.W. Forsberg. 2008. An atypical 1,4-ß-D-glucan glucohydrolase produced by Fibrobacter succinogenes: Characterization, site-directed mutagenesis and synergistic interactions with other cellulases. J. Bacteriol. In Press Jan 3, 2008 Qi, M., K.E. Nelson, S.C. Daugherty, W.C. Nelson, I.R. Hance, M. Morrison, and C.W. Forsberg. 2008. Genomic differences between Fibrobacter succinogenes S85 and Fibrobacter intestinalis DR7 identified by suppression subtractive hybridization. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. In Press Dec.13, 2007 Jun, H.-S., M. Qi, J. Gong, E.E. Egbosimba, and C.W. Forsberg. 2007. Outer membrane proteins of Fibrobacter succinogenes with potential roles in adhesion to cellulose and in cellulose digestion. J. Bacteriol. 189:6806-6815. Qi, M., H.-S. Jun, and C.W. Forsberg. 2007. Characterization and synergistic interactions of Fibrobacter succinogenes glycoside hydrolases. Appl.Environ.Microbiol. 73: 6098-6105. Qi, Meng, Nelson, Karen E., Daugherty, Sean C., Nelson, William C., Hance, Ioana R., Morrison, Mark, Forsberg, Cecil W. 2005. Novel molecular features of the fibrolytic intestinal bacterium Fibrobacter intestinalis not shared with Fibrobacter succinogenes as determined by suppressive subtractive hybridization. J. Bacteriol. 187: 3739-3751. Kam, D. K., H. S. Jun, J. Ha, G. D. Inglis, and C. W. Forsberg. Characteristics of adjacent family 6 acetylxylan esterases from Fibrobacter succinogenes and the interaction with the XynE xylanase in hydrolysis of acetylated xylan.Can.J.Microbiol. 51:821-832, 2005. Jun, H.S., J.K. Ha, L.M. Malburg, Jr., A.M. Verrinder Gibbins and C.W. Forsberg. 2003. Characteristics of a cluster of xylanase genes in Fibrobacter succinogenes S85. Can. J. Microbiol. 49:171-180.