Rickettsia rickettsii str. R Genome sequencing. Rickettsia rickettsii str. R

In this study, the focus is on closely related strains of Rickettsia rickettsii that exhibit differences in virulence. Limited genetic systems for this obligate intracellular bacteria, have made it difficult to definitively identify virulence factors in Rickettsia species. We have taken a comparative genomic approach in an attempt to isolate genomic differences and narrow the possible virulence factors for further elucidation.