Genome sequencing of the loss-of-function mutant Methylibium sp. T29-B. Methylibium sp. T29-B

Methylibium sp. T29-B is a mutant that was isolated in our laboratory. This mutant cannot grow on MTBE despite the fact that it has an intact MTBE monooxygenase gene. On the other hand, it can grow on TBA which suggests that either a regulator or an unknown partner is missing from its genome. Our goal was to identify genetic background of this loss-of-function phenotype hoping that we can identify an MdpA (MTBE monooxygenase)-independent sensor system which can be used to build an MTBE-biosensor.