Transcriptomic study of the association between 'Bathymodiolus' childressi deep sea mussel and its bacterial symbionts.

'Bathymodiolus' childressi are deep sea mussel found predominantly in the Gulf of Mexico colonizing cold seeps such as brine pool and oil seeps. The success of these animals in such environment is thought to be due to the symbiotic association between the mussel host and several species of bacteria. The aim of this study is to understand the role of the different partner involved in the symbiotic system using transcriptomic approaches.