Chlamydia Genome Sequencing Project

In collaboration with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, strains of two major pathogens of livestock that cause abortion (Chlamydia abortus) and a range of disease syndromes, including infertility, pneumonia, encephalomyelitis, metritis, enteritis, mastitis, conjunctivitis and polyarthritis (Chlamydia pecorum) are being collected from all over Europe and further afield for “deep sequencing” using second generation technologies (Illumina).

The resulting genome sequencing will allow an insight into the variability of chlamydial field strains with reference to host species and geographical location, and will provide important information to help in our understanding of how these pathogens differ in their ability to induce disease. Ultimately this will help in the development of improved disease control strategies.

We therefore would like to invite any researchers who have C. abortus and/or C. pecorum strains in their pathogen collections, or who are able to isolate the organisms from clinical samples, to submit them to us at Moredun for sequencing. At present there is no end date for receipt of samples, please send them to us as and when you are able to grow the organisms for the preparation of genomic DNA. A minimum of 5 μg (preferably 5-10 μg) of purified gDNA at a concentration of 100 ng/μl is required.

Click here for a downloadable excel spreadsheet, which details the information required for each isolate, which should be submitted to us in advance of submission of any gDNA samples. Please provide as much information as you can for each strain, but do not worry if the information is limited or incomplete.

Click here for a pdf of a suggested method for the purification of gDNA from egg or cell culture grown material.

Click here for a pdf listing the strains that have been committed and gDNA provided to the project. This file will be frequently updated to also include information on sequencing status.

Click here for a mailing label for sending gDNA samples to us here at Moredun.

If you have any questions or require further information please contact either Dr Michelle Sait  or Dr David Longbottom.