Brucella melitensis is of interest as a potential biological weapon since one to ten cells can cause undulant or Malta fever in humans. It is also a major cause of brucellosis in animals, and the disease can be transmitted from animals to humans.

  Does it describe a new discovery or a new methodology that's useful to others?

B. melitensis belongs to a family of bacteria that are characterized by having 2 circular chromosomes, instead of the usual one chromosome. Thus the relationship of the two chromosomes in terms of the metabolic properties was novel. B. melitensis is also interesting in that it does not possess any of the known virulence factors found in other bacterial pathogens.

  Could you summarize the significance of your paper in layman's terms?

The completed genome of B. melitensis has acted as a template for the closure of other Brucella species and it is presently providing a database for the identification of proteins produce by this bacterium under diverse environmental conditions and also permitting comparisons of these proteins in other Brucella species. This may lead to defining why certain Brucella species prefer particular hosts, as well as pave the way for new antimicrobial compounds and next generation vaccines. Presently all vaccines administered to animals are pathogenic to humans.  

  How did you become involved in this research?

I have always found this organism fascinating and to provide access to a detailed and annotated genome of any organism to fellow researchers is extremely rewarding.

Vito G. Delvecchio
Professor, Director of Research, Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine
University of Scranton
Scranton, PA, USA