SPADA

Background

Johnson, S.L., Daligault, H.E., Davenport, K.W., Jaissle, J., Grey, K.G., Ladner, J.T., Broomall, S.M., Bishop-Lilly, K.A., Bruce, D.C., Gibbons, H.S., Coyne, S.R., Lo, C.- C., Meincke, Ll, Munk, A.C., Koroleva, G.I., Rosenzweig, C.N., Palacios, f., Redden, C L Minogue T D and Chain PS (2015) . ., , . . , . . Complete Genome Sequences of 35 Biothreat Assay-Relevant Bacillus Species. Genome Announc. 3, e00151-15. ABSTRACT : In 2011, the Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC) International released a list of Bacillus strains relevant to biothreat molecular detection assays. We present the complete and annotated genome assemblies of the 15 strains listed on the inclusivity panel, as well as the 20 strains listed on the exclusivity panel.

Background

• Given full genome sequences for all members of the Inclusivity and Exclusivity panels, anyone designing assays using DNA sequences can use in silico methods to select sequences to target with their assays that are specific to B. anthracis , based on signatures found only in genomes of isolates in the Inclusivity panel but absent from genomes of organisms in the Exclusivity panel. • It will be straightforward to demonstrate that the assays were designed in such a manner and, in silico “testing” will quickly demonstrate whether the targeted sequences – or sets of sequences – are specific to the target. Isolates developed using such methods must still be tested against the inclusivity, exclusivity and environmental factors panels to validate the assays because the DNA databases used to develop such assays are still incomplete and do not represent the breadth of isolates found in the environment.