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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Next-generation Sequencing of 16S Ribosomal RNA Gene Amplicons

Next-generation Sequencing of 16S Ribosomal RNA Gene Amplicons

Published on: August 29, 2014

Next-generation sequencing as a tool to study microbial evolution.

Michael A Brockhurst¹, Nick Colegrave, Daniel E Rozen

¹Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK. michael.brockhurst@liv.ac.uk

Molecular Ecology

|September 30, 2010

Summary

Microbial evolution is now observable in real time using rapid whole-genome sequencing. This approach helps estimate mutation rates, understand natural selection, and test evolutionary hypotheses, especially for pathogens.

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Microbial genetics
Genomics

Background:

Microbes exhibit rapid evolution due to short generation times and large populations.
Observing evolution in real time is a key goal in evolutionary biology.
Next-generation sequencing technologies have reduced costs, making genome-wide studies feasible.

Purpose of the Study:

To leverage falling whole-genome sequencing costs for studying rapid microbial evolution.
To utilize laboratory and field experiments to investigate microbial evolutionary dynamics.
To provide empirical data for testing long-standing evolutionary hypotheses.

Main Methods:

Employing next-generation sequencing for whole-genome analysis of microbial populations.
Conducting controlled laboratory evolution experiments.
Analyzing microbial samples from natural environments ('in the wild').

Main Results:

Accurate estimation of mutation rates in microbial populations.
Identification of genetic targets and dynamics of natural selection.
Assessment of the correlation between genetic and phenotypic changes.
Generation of data to test evolutionary hypotheses.

Conclusions:

Rapid whole-genome sequencing is a powerful tool for studying microbial evolution.
These studies enhance understanding of pathogen evolution within and between hosts.
Advances have significant implications for microbiology and evolutionary science.