Screening gene resourses for microbial production of hydrocarbon by Whole Genome Sequencing

The project aims to find novel genes for microbial production of hydrocarbon. Based on features of cell morphology and hydrocarbon profiles, we have already acquired 9 representative cultured cyanobacterial strains, which were chosen as the target for whole genome sequencing. Illumina HiSeq2000 and MiSeq were applied to sequence these genomes, and assembled by SPAdes, significant gene resources responsible for diversified hydrocarbons (alkanes/alkenes) production were identified. Our project shows promising prospects for both basic science and biotechnological researches on the important biofuel—hydrocarbon.