Mycobacterium smegmatis

Mycobacterium smegmatis is a bacterium from the group of mycobacteria. Are rod-shaped bacteria having a length of 3 to 5 microns. It belongs to the normal flora of smegma in the human genital area. In soil samples, it was often found. It is pathogenic only in rare cases and is one of the so-called non-tuberculous mycobacteria ( MOTT ). Mycobacterium smegmatis is among the rapidly growing mycobacteria that form colonies clearly visible within a week on agar bearing nutrient media. Therefore, it is also regarded as a model organism for mycobacteria and is often used in laboratories for metabolic studies.

The genome was sequenced by the J. Craig Venter Institute. The mycolic acids were prepared as analyzed from other species of Mycobacterium.

System

Mycobacterium smegmatis is a species in the genus Mycobacterium in the family of Mycobacteriaceae, which is counted to the department Actinobacteria. Goodii together with it is placed in the Mycobacterium Mycobacterium smegmatis clade.