Stable isotope probing - linking microbial identity to function.
Stable isotope probing (SIP) is a technique that is used to identify the microorganisms in environmental samples that use a particular growth substrate. The method relies on the incorporation of a substrate that is highly enriched in a stable isotope, such as (13)C, and the identification of active microorganisms by the selective recovery and analysis of isotope-enriched cellular components. DNA and rRNA are the most informative taxonomic biomarkers and (13)C-labelled molecules can be purified from unlabelled nucleic acid by density-gradient centrifugation. The future holds great promise for SIP, particularly when combined with other emerging technologies such as microarrays and metagenomics.
Dumont
Marc G
MG
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
Murrell
J Colin
JC
D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D007553:Isotope Labeling / Q000379:methods; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S