Vibrio salmonicida, a psychrophilic pathogen marine gram-negative microorganism, the etiological agent of cold-water vibriosis (also called hemorrhagic syndrome or Hitra disease) in Atlantic salmon and Atlantic cod, has been studies for some years. Although efficient vaccine has been developed, the molecular mechanisms of host invasion and specificity, colonization and growth are largely unknown.

A whole genome sequencing project has been initiated to get more insights into how V. salmonicida communitate (quorum sensing) and its virulence mechanisms. V. salmonicida genome has also proven to be a unique source of cold adapted enzymes in a bioprospecting perspective.

The V. salmonicida LFI1238 genome consists of two chromosomes of approximately 1.2 and 3.3 Mb, and four plasmids of 4.3, 5.4, 32 and 84 kb. The genome sequencing is a collaboration between the Protein Research group and The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute at Hinxton in the UK. Preliminary results from the sequencing can be viewed at the Vibrio salmonicida page at the Sanger Institute.