Applications of real-time polymerase chain reaction for quantification of microorganisms in environmental samples.
Due to the advanced development of fluorogenic chemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) has become an emerging technique for the detection and quantification of microorganisms in the environment. Compared with the conventional hybridization- and PCR-based techniques, qRT-PCR not only has better sensitivity and reproducibility, but it is also quicker to perform and has a minimum risk of amplicon carryover contamination. This article reviews the principle of this emerging technique, its detection reagents, target DNAs, quantification procedures, and affecting factors. The applications of qRT-PCR for the quantification of microorganisms in the environment are also summarized.
Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
Tong
T
Zhang
Herbert H P
HH
Fang
D001105:Archaea / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019641:DNA, Archaeal / Q000032:analysis; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods
D019641:DNA, Archaeal; D004269:DNA, Bacterial