Maryland researchers helped crack genomic code of bacteria in E.coli outbreak

Within days of the E.coli outbreak in Germany that officially ended this week, scientists at the University of MarylandInstitute for Genome Sciences began cracking the genomic code of the bacteria responsible for infecting thousands and killing dozens.

Information about all the genes that make up the bacteria from these scientists and others around the globe was soon offered online at no cost to doctors treating those infected, possibly saving lives, as well as to epidemiologists looking for the source of the pathogen.

It may have been the fastest turnaround of genomic data for wide diagnostic use, and now some of those involved believe this "open source" method of conveying data will become more routine, and the use of genomics as a diagnostic tool the norm...