The TIGR researchers began mapping the King Cholera genome in January 1997. The project took longer than expected because the models created for the map were based on the notion that the genome would contain about 2.5 million base pairs, or chemical units. In the end it had 4 million. Suspecting another bacteria might have been contaminating the sample, they screened it multiple times. Its natural environment is the water.
Cholera can survive in the environment for extended periods of time.
Heidelberg said it might have something to do with the fact that the bacteria has two chromosomes, which is very rare. Cholera may be the only bacteria to have two complete chromosomes, in fact, and one theory is that it allows the bacteria to replicate twice as fast. Other researchers in the field agree that with the blueprint of the cholera genome research will accelerate and go in new directions. It's a really new starting point for almost any research in cholera. The downside is that it's unlikely the people who stand to benefit most from vaccines or medicines actually will.