Deciphering the Role of the sinR Gene Homolog in Halobacillus BBL2006

Abstract

The sinR gene and its protein are responsible for the regulation of biofilm formation in Bacillus subtilis. Bacterial biofilms are important ecologically and medically, so the study of biofilm formation in the environmental isolate Halobacillus BBL2006 could contribute significantly to the knowledge of these bacterial systems. We have recently sequenced and annotated the whole genome of Halobacillus BBL2006, and identified and isolated a homolog to the sinR gene. We plan to mutate (knock out) the sinR gene in the Halobacillus bacteria to determine the effect upon biofilm formation in this organism.