title: Nucleotide sequence-based typing of bacteria and the impact of automation.
abstract: DNA-based typing methods are increasingly important for the characterisation of bacteria. They are used to monitor the epidemiology of pathogens with public health significance and also to help understand the evolution and population biology of bacteria. However, these methods require accuracy and reproducibility and are often of a high-throughput nature. Laboratory automation is therefore the key to the successful implementation of such methods. This review describes the impact of automation on DNA-based typing methods, particularly multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), and the method components that can be automated.
authors.affiliation: Scottish Meningococcus and Pneumococcus Reference Laboratory, Stobhill Hospital, Department of Microbiology, Balornock Road, Glasgow, G21 3UW, UK. stuart.clarke@northglasgow.scot.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Stuart C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D005821:Genetic Techniques
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial