Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Multiplex Detection of Bacteria in Complex Clinical and Environmental Samples using Oligonucleotide-coupled Fluorescent Microspheres
Published on: October 23, 2011
Evaluation of quantitative polymerase chain reaction to assess nosZ gene prevalence in mixed microbial communities
Steven D Siciliano1, Wai Ma, Shane Powell
1Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada. steven.siciliano@usask.ca
Abstract:
The usefulness of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) to measure nosZ gene prevalence in a multi-template reaction was assessed by comparing 19 nosZ template DNA samples and 91 model communities. Efficiencies of the QPCR varied but were not significantly different among nosZ genotypes and were not linked to genetic distance from Ralstonia eutropha. nosZ genotype QPCR efficiencies obtained from isolated denitrifiers were higher (84.8%) than those obtained from excised denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis bands or clones of PCR products from total community DNA (ca. 60%). Analysis of the model communities indicated that QPCR accurately predicts gene prevalence in communities composed of up to six templates.
Related Concept Videos
Real Time RT-PCR
The real-time quantification of the number of amplified products is...
Modern Molecular Taxonomy
Methods to Assess Microbial Populations
Methods to Assess Microbial Communities

