Genomic sequencing of S. pneumoniae strain R6 variants that grow in suspension under in vitro conditions.. Non-floculating strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae

The laboratory, nonencapsulated R6 strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae is prone of sedimenting to the bottom of the tube after prolonged in vitro growth. However, two R6 variants (R6CIB17a and R6CIB17b) capable of growing in suspension (a characteristic own of encapsulated strains) have been isolated in independent experiments. Next generation DNA sequencing has been used to get insight into the genetic basis of this novel phenotype. A preliminary analysis has shown that the two variants continue to be nonencapsulated as its progenitor strain.