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Genomic Analysis of Nitrogen Fixation

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Book cover Nitrogen Fixation

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 766))

Abstract

Advances in sequencing technology in the past decade have enabled the sequencing of genomes of thousands of organisms including diazotrophs. Genomics have enabled thorough analysis of the gene organization of nitrogen-fixing species, the identification of new genes involved in nitrogen fixation, and the identification of new diazotrophic species. This chapter reviews key characteristics of nitrogen-fixing genomes and methods to identify and analyze genomes of new diazotrophs using genome scanning. This chapter refers to Azotobacter vinelandii, a well-studied nitrogen-fixing organism, as a model for studying nitrogen-fixing genomes. We discuss the main nitrogen fixation genes as well as accessory genes that contribute to diazotrophy. We also review approaches that can be used to modify genomes in order to study nitrogen fixation at the genetic, biochemical, and biophysical level.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. HIV Drug Resistance Program, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA

    Ina P. O’Carroll

  2. Department of Chemistry, Wake Forest University, Wiston-Salem, NC, 27109, USA

    Patricia C. Dos Santos

Authors
  1. Ina P. O’Carroll
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  2. Patricia C. Dos Santos
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Correspondence to Patricia C. Dos Santos .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Dept Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, 92697, California, USA

    Markus W. Ribbe

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O’Carroll, I.P., Dos Santos, P.C. (2011). Genomic Analysis of Nitrogen Fixation. In: Ribbe, M. (eds) Nitrogen Fixation. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 766. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-194-9_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-194-9_4

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-193-2

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