Apr. 2, 2004 Rockville, MD – Three centuries after a pioneering
Dutch microbiologist first observed the spiral-shaped oral
pathogen Treponema denticola, scientists have deciphered the
bacterium's entire DNA sequence and used comparative genomics to
cast new light on other spirochete microbes. The study by
scientists at The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR) and
collaborators at Baylor College of Medicine and the University
of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found profound
differences between the gene content of T. denticola, which is
associated with periodontal (gum) disease, and of other
spirochetes that cause syphilis and Lyme disease. "This
highlights the power of comparative genomics to help us
understand how related pathogens can cause completely different
diseases," says Ian Paulsen, who led the sequencing along with
fellow TIGR researcher Rekha Seshadri. Paulsen says the T.
denticola genome "provides an excellent point of reference to
study the biology of spirochetes." The paper will appear i