Escherichia coli Genome sequencing and assembly. Escherichia coli

This BioProject contains nucleotide sequence data for the genes determining antigens targeted by the serotyping schemas for Escherichia coli and Shigella. For over 60 years, these schemas have provided internationally recognized nomenclatures which have facilitated studies to understand the pathogenesis, epidemiology, ecology and evolution of these bacteria. The traditional phenotypic approach to defining new antigens for addition to serotyping schemas is slow and costly, and it cannot keep pace with the potential new antigens discovered through sequence-based methods. Since E. coli and the four species of Shigella are genetically the same species and because routine bacterial identification and serotyping in the future will be genetic, rather than phenotypic, a unified scheme for serotyping these bacteria is under development. The site will serve as a repository for reference sequences for recognized and provisional O and H antigens and facilitate the sharing of information among the scientific community to sustain this international subtyping scheme.