title: Metabolically active bacteria potentially responsible for bioremediation of soil             contaminated with aromatic pollutants
design: The aim of the presented study was to identify bacterial populations                 in contaminated soil that derive carbon from biphenyl, naphthalene, and benzoate. In                 order to reach this goal, we applied DNA-based stable isotope probing with                 subsequent pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA tag-encoded amplicons (gene-targeted                 metagenomics). Results of the study help unveil which bacteria are involved in                 biodegradation of aromatic pollutants PCBs and PAHs. In addition, the experimental                 design with labeled substrates as well as key intermediates of degradation pathways                 (biphenyl and benzoate, respectively) helps clarify the flow of carbon in the                 contaminated soil.