biostudies-literatureUnknown24(8)Schneiker SAlcanivorax borkumensis is a cosmopolitan marine bacterium that uses oil hydrocarbons as its exclusive source of carbon and energy. Although barely detectable in unpolluted environments, A. borkumensis becomes the dominant microbe in oil-polluted waters. A. borkumensis SK2 has a streamlined genome with a paucity of mobile genetic elements and energy generation-related genes, but with a plethora of genes accounting for its wide hydrocarbon substrate range and efficient oil-degradation capabilities. The genome further specifies systems for scavenging of nutrients, particularly organic and inorganic nitrogen and oligo-elements, biofilm formation at the oil-water interface, biosurfactant production and niche-specific stress responses. The unique combination of these features provides A. borkumNature biotechnology997-1004https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7416663biostudies-literatureGenome sequence of the ubiquitous hydrocarbon-degrading marine bacterium Alcanivorax borkumensis.PMC7416663Rupp OSchneiker SPuhler ANechitaylo TMcHardy ACBekel TGolyshina OVWeidner SSabirova JSBrecht MGertler CTimmis KNKaiser OVorholter FJGolyshin PNFerrer MRegenhardt DDenaro RMeyer FChernikova TNKaminski FYakimov MMBuhrmester JLinke BMartins dos Santos VAGoesmann ASelbitschka WLang SKhachane ANBartels DfalseGenome sequence of the ubiquitous hydrocarbon-degrading marine bacterium Alcanivorax borkumensis.Alcanivorax borkumensis is a cosmopolitan marine bacterium that uses oil hydrocarbons as its exclusive source of carbon and energy. Although barely detectable in unpolluted environments, A. borkumensis becomes the dominant microbe in oil-polluted waters. A. borkumensis SK2 has a streamlined genome with a paucity of mobile genetic elements and energy generation-related genes, but with a plethora of genes accounting for its wide hydrocarbon substrate range and efficient oil-degradation capabilities. The genome further specifies systems for scavenging of nutrients, particularly organic and inorganic nitrogen and oligo-elements, biofilm formation at the oil-water interface, biosurfactant production and niche-specific stress responses. The unique combination of these features provides A. borkum2006-01-01T00:00:00Z2006 Aug2026-04-30T05:26:51.285Z2026-04-15T03:09:27.58ZS-EPMC74166631687812610.1038/nbt1232