Whole genome re-sequencing of two 'wild-type' strains of the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

The photoautotrophic cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is a widely used model in genomic research and was the first photosynthetic organism to have its entire genome sequenced. Here, we report the genome sequence for two glucose-tolerant laboratory 'wild-type' strains, GT-O1 and GT-O2, in use at the University of Otago. Using high-throughput genome sequencing techniques and subsequent Sanger sequencing of detected variants, we have identified ten de novo mutations in the two strains, of which six are unique to GT-O2 cells. The presence of these unique mutations highlights the need to know the genomic background of the parent strain when constructing mutants in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 strains.