BCCM collections in the genomic era (BCCM GEN-ERA)

The BCCM GEN-ERA project aimed at implementing genomic analyses tools in BCCM Collections through specific research questions on a selection of microorganisms associated notably with human health, pollinating insects and extreme environments. At BCCM/LMG the project focused on bacterial isolates from bumblebees (Bombus spp.). In 2018, Praet et al. were able to isolate the main groups of bumblebee microbionts detected through metagenomics. Most of these isolates were identified through partial 16S rRNA gene sequences and required further analyses to classify them properly. Through whole genome sequence analyses and subsequent calculation of average nucleotide identity (ANI) values using the OrthoANIu algorithm, we confirmed the species identity of a set of these bumblebee isolates.