Bacillus thuringiensis genetics and phages-from transduction and sequencing to recombineering

Abstract

Experimental mapping of genes was less intensive in the Bacillus cereus group, which includes B. thuringiensis, than in Bacillus subtilis, generally considered as the model for Gram-positive bacteria. Nevertheless the genomic sequencing equalized densities of available gene maps. Moreover, the genes responsible for such complex phenomena like virulence or psychrotolerance could only be identified using the authentic bacteria prone to possess these properties. The new experimental approaches of post-genomic genetics should therefore be considered. Phage-mediated gene transduction and recombineering perspectives for the B. cereus group are reviewed. In combination with new generation sequencing these approaches will constitute the gene identification methodologies in the post-genomics time.