Genomics and antimicrobials from ruminal streptococci

The Streptococcus bovis/equinus complex comprises a group of lactic acid bacteria with diverse lifestyles, varying from commensals, saprotrophs and opportunistic pathogens. Members of the complex show high adaptive capacity in different ecosystems and can be frequently isolated from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of mammals, food products of animal origin and clinical environments. In this study, the objective is to isolate, characterize and sequence the genome of ruminal streptococci obtained from the rumen of grazing cattle. The antimicrobial activity of these isolates against pathogenic bacteria will be evaluated. Computational analysis will be used to mine biosynthetic clusters for antimicrobial agents and comparative genomics will be carried out to compare nutritional requirements, pathogenic potential and evaluate differences between ruminal and non-ruminal streptococci.