IMG PR

IMG PR aggregates 699,973 plasmid sequences systematically identified from genomes, metagenomes, and metatranscriptomes to support analysis of plasmid diversity, horizontal gene transfer, and the dissemination of antibiotic resistance.

Key Features:

• Sequence collection: A repository of 699,973 plasmid sequences identified from genomes, metagenomes, and metatranscriptomes.
• Metadata enrichment: Extensive metadata including geographical and ecosystem information, host taxonomy, and plasmid similarity metrics.
• Functional annotation: Annotations that identify genes involved in conjugation and antibiotic resistance.
• Plasmid similarity and comparisons: Sequence-level similarity assessments and plasmid-to-plasmid comparisons to evaluate relatedness.
• Sequence search: BLAST-based sequence similarity searches against the plasmid collection.
• Biological scope: Coverage of plasmids from diverse clades of Archaea and Bacteria as mobile genetic elements relevant to horizontal gene transfer.
• Systematic identification: Plasmids systematically identified from diverse microbiome samples.

Scientific Applications:

• Plasmid ecology and function: Investigating plasmid roles and functional potential within microbial communities using sequence and metadata.
• Horizontal gene transfer and antibiotic resistance: Tracking dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes and conjugation-related genes across samples and environments.
• Comparative plasmid genomics: Comparing plasmid sequences to assess relatedness, similarity, and evolutionary patterns.
• Biotechnology and health research: Studying plasmid-borne genes with implications for biotechnology and human health.

Methodology:

Systematic identification of plasmid sequences from genomes, metagenomes, and metatranscriptomes; annotation of plasmid sequences for functional genes including conjugation and antibiotic resistance; sequence similarity assessment and BLAST-based searches; integration of geographical, ecosystem, and host taxonomy metadata.