Why Sequence Tetrahymena thermophila?
The ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila is a microbial model organism for a wide variety of research disciplines. In addition to its proven importance as a model system for discovering fundamental principles of eukaryotic biology, it is the most experimentally amenable member of the Alveolates (e.g., disease-causing Plasmodium) and of the evolutionarily diverse ciliate species that colonize worldwide niches as free-living organisms, parasites (e.g., Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, or white spot, which kills aquacultured fish), and mutualistic symbionts (e.g., the cellulase-producing ciliates of the cow rumen). Electron micrograph of T. thermophila showing both the micronucleus and (partly surrounding it) the macronucleus. Image courtesy Yifan Liu, Univ. of Michigan Although other single-celled eukaryotes have simplified their genome content, ciliates retain an animal-like genetic complexity. Ciliates are uniquely adapted to support their large genome and cell size, yet retain rapi
