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Related Concept Videos

Methods to Assess Microbial Communities01:19

Methods to Assess Microbial Communities

Microbial communities, comprising bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotic microorganisms, inhabit diverse ecosystems and play crucial roles in environmental and biological processes. Their diversity is defined by three main parameters: species richness (the number of distinct species), species abundance (the relative quantity of each species), and species evenness (how uniformly individual species are distributed in various locations). These factors together shape the structure and ecological balance...
Modern Molecular Taxonomy01:29

Modern Molecular Taxonomy

Advancements in molecular biology have revolutionized the identification and characterization of bacteria, with multiple methods leveraging DNA sequencing for enhanced precision. As sequencing technologies improve and costs decline, these approaches are increasingly used in clinical, environmental, and evolutionary studies.Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) examines several housekeeping genes, essential chromosomal genes encoding cellular functions, to distinguish strains. Approximately...
Methods to Assess Microbial Populations01:30

Methods to Assess Microbial Populations

Assessing microbial populations is crucial for understanding microbial roles in health, ecology, and industry. Various complementary techniques—both culture-based and molecular—enable detailed analysis of microbial abundance, diversity, and function.Viable Plate CountThe viable plate count is a traditional culture-based method used to estimate the number of living microbes in a sample. After serial dilution, the sample is spread onto nutrient agar plates. Each viable cell forms a visible...
Applications of Molecular Taxonomy01:20

Applications of Molecular Taxonomy

Molecular taxonomy has revolutionized the understanding and classification of bacteria, providing precise insights into their diversity, evolutionary relationships, and ecological roles. By utilizing molecular techniques such as DNA sequencing and fingerprinting, researchers have made significant strides in various fields related to bacterial studies.Resolving Taxonomic AmbiguitiesMolecular taxonomy has been instrumental in distinguishing closely related bacterial species initially thought to...
Methods of Classification and Identification01:28

Methods of Classification and Identification

Bacterial identification relies on a diverse array of techniques to classify and understand microorganisms, each tailored to uncover specific characteristics. Traditional morphological approaches, while still valuable, are limited for closely related or structurally simple organisms. Modern methods integrate biochemical, serological, genetic, and advanced molecular tools to achieve greater accuracy.Morphological and Biochemical TechniquesMorphological characteristics, such as cell shape and...
Automated Microbial Diagnostics01:24

Automated Microbial Diagnostics

Automated diagnostic analyzers have transformed clinical microbiology by providing rapid and reliable methods for pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Among these systems, the Vitek 2 is widely used because it automates the traditionally labor-intensive processes of microbial identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), delivering standardized and timely results that are essential for effective patient care.Microbial Identification with ID CardsThe...

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Related Experiment Video

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Guided Protocol for Fecal Microbial Characterization by 16S rRNA-Amplicon Sequencing
08:05

Guided Protocol for Fecal Microbial Characterization by 16S rRNA-Amplicon Sequencing

Published on: March 19, 2018

New tools for discovering and characterizing microbial diversity.

Erick Cardenas1, James M Tiedje

  • 1Center for Microbial Ecology and Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

Current Opinion in Biotechnology
|November 6, 2008
PubMed
Summary

New sequencing technologies and metagenomics are revolutionizing microbial diversity studies. These advancements enable the discovery and characterization of novel genes and previously uncultured microorganisms from various environments.

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Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Guided Protocol for Fecal Microbial Characterization by 16S rRNA-Amplicon Sequencing
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Efficient Nucleic Acid Extraction and 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing for Bacterial Community Characterization
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Efficient Nucleic Acid Extraction and 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing for Bacterial Community Characterization

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Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
11:22

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Published on: October 15, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Science
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Understanding microbial diversity is crucial for ecological and biotechnological applications.
  • Traditional methods have limitations in characterizing the vast majority of microorganisms.
  • Recent technological advancements offer new possibilities for microbial exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the impact of new sequencing technologies and metagenomics on microbial diversity research.
  • To showcase the discovery of novel genes and previously uncultured microbial groups.
  • To emphasize the transformative potential of these tools in environmental microbiology.

Main Methods:

  • Advanced sequencing technologies
  • Novel isolation techniques
  • Microfluidics
  • Metagenomics

Main Results:

  • Discovery of novel genes from environmental samples.
  • Massive characterization of functional and phylogenetic genes.
  • Isolation of members from previously uncultured microbial phyla (e.g., Verrucomicrobia, Acidobacteria).

Conclusions:

  • Cheaper sequencing democratizes advanced microbial research.
  • New tools are reshaping environmental studies, increasing resolution and revealing genetic potential.
  • These approaches enhance the study of microbial community complexity, dynamics, and functional diversity.