Bacillus atrophaeus Detrick-1 whole genome sequencing project

Bacillus atrophaeus Detrick-1. This project will compare modern type strains (e.g. ATCC 9372), strains currently in use within the biodefense community to archival strains of B. atrophaeus to trace the microevolution of B. atrophaeus during more than 70 years of development and use. In addition, this project compares B. atrophaeus subsp. globigii strains to the more distantly related B. atrophaeus subsp. atrophaeus strains. Strain Detrick-1 is one of three major colony morphology variants detected from a sample returned to the University of Wisconsin from Camp Detrick in 1952. It represents the immediate progenitor of the strains currently in use in the biodefense community.