The degradation of xenobiotic and other toxic compounds by microorganisms is central to strategies for the bioremediation of contaminated environments. The Center for Microbial Ecology at Michigan State University and Rutgers University initiated a study to establish the phylogenetic distribution of described, biodegrading microorganisms with the goals of identifying patterns of microbial degradative processes within a phylogenetic context and of gaining insights into the evolution of those processes. This continuing investigation has been hindered by strain data that is difficult to comprehensively compile and often uncomparable between strains and has underscored the potential usefulness of a database that would consolidate strain-level microbial data. To address this need and provide a resource for the scientific community, we have developed the Biodegradative Strain Database (BSD). The BSD is being developed at the Center for Microbial Ecology in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Biocatalysis/Biodegradation Database and the Ribosomal Database Project II . It should consolidate and provide rapid access to comparative data on known biodegradative microorganisms and the hazardous substances they degrade as a readily accessible resource for researchers and field practitioners. One of its other goals is to facilitate comparative analyses and highlight deficiencies in our current knowledge base. ... [Information of the supplier, modified]
