*Streptococcus pneumoniae causes over 1 million deaths worldwide annually, and despite a wide array of antibiotics and a vaccine, it remains among the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States. Nearly one-third of patient isolates in the United States are resistant to penicillin and there are a growing number of multiple antibiotic resistant strains. The sequencing of its genome was done to find new antibiotic targets to aid in drug therapy and treatment for patients, and to prevent this organism from continuing to cause such high numbers of deaths even in a developed country with an excellent healthcare system. The bacteria is a Gram positive coccus as well as being a lactic acid bacteria.  

*Streptococcus pneumoniae causes over 1 million deaths worldwide annually, and despite a wide array of antibiotics and a vaccine, it remains among the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States. Nearly one-third of patient isolates in the United States are resistant to penicillin and there are a growing number of multiple antibiotic resistant strains. The sequencing of its genome was done to find new antibiotic targets to aid in drug therapy and treatment for patients, and to prevent this organism from continuing to cause such high numbers of deaths even in a developed country with an excellent healthcare system. The bacteria is a Gram positive coccus as well as being a lactic acid bacteria.