Reagensseilla

Reagensseilla is a genus of bacteria described in contemporary microbial taxonomy. Members are small, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming rods that range from 0.6 to 1.5 micrometers in length. They are typically non-motile and show oxidative metabolism, with a tendency toward microaerophilic to aerobic growth depending on the strain.

The genus was first described in a 2023 study by Patel and colleagues, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and whole-genome analyses. It is provisionally placed within the broader domain Bacteria, awaiting formal assignment to a family. The name Reagensseilla combines the Latin root reagens ('reagent') with the suffix -ella, reflecting the organism’s frequent appearance in laboratory-associated contexts.

Genomes reported for Reagensseilla members are compact, typically 2.4–3.2 megabases, with GC content commonly in the mid-40s percent. Coding sequences suggest a versatile metabolism, including carbohydrate utilization and environmental persistence through extracellular polysaccharide production. Some isolates carry plasmids that may harbor accessory functions such as transporters or catabolic genes.

Ecologically, Reagensseilla has been recovered from soil and freshwater sediments, and occasionally from plant-associated niches. Its role in nutrient cycling is not yet well defined, but the genus is studied for potential biotechnological applications, including enzyme discovery and biosensors, as well as for insights into early-diverging bacterial lineages.

As a provisional genus, Reagensseilla remains subject to change with future isolation and phenotypic characterization. Its formal acceptance in taxonomic databases will depend on broader sampling and systematic work.