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Prot 5K

Prot 5K is an initiative to carry out DNA sequencing on 5,000 distinct species of unicellular eukaryotic protozoa focusing on an environmental rather than a pathogenic origin. These poorly studied organisms represent a large biodiversity. Protozoa are currently classified using small subunit RNA into unikont and bikont divisions of the eukarya. The unikont Amoebozoa either have no flagella or a single emergent flagellum. Bikonts and heterokont algae and diatoms possess flagella or flagellate lifecycle forms.

Background

Prot 5K will consider eukaryotic flagellates, ciliates and amoebae.

Flagellates

Flagellated eukaryote protozoa from the bikont division possess long whip like structures used for motility. The flagellum is primarily used for locomotion. The structure of the flagellum has a "9+2" structure. The structure involves nine fused pairs of microtubule doublets. A flagellum is within the cell membrane of the protozoan. Lynn Margulis hypothesised that the

Ciliates

Ciliates possess hair like structures on the outer edges of the cell. These structures can be used in an undulating pattern for locomotion as well as further applications. The ciliates have a macronucleus and a micronucleus. During conjugation, only the micronucleus is transferred. During the ciliates lifecycle, only the macronucleus is expressed and the micronucleus and macronucleus divide with a complex pattern of DNA rearrangements.

Amoebae

Main aims

There are three main aims to the Prot 5K sequencing initiative.


 * To study biodiversity and population genomics of these neglected organisms
 * To look for solutions for bioenergy with regards to cellulosic degradation and waste digestion
 * To investigate pollutant degradation and pollutant indicators