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Title: Microarray Applications in Microbial Ecology Research.

Journal Article · · Microbial Ecology

Microarray technology has the unparalleled potential tosimultaneously determine the dynamics and/or activities of most, if notall, of the microbial populations in complex environments such as soilsand sediments. Researchers have developed several types of arrays thatcharacterize the microbial populations in these samples based on theirphylogenetic relatedness or functional genomic content. Several recentstudies have used these microarrays to investigate ecological issues;however, most have only analyzed a limited number of samples withrelatively few experiments utilizing the full high-throughput potentialof microarray analysis. This is due in part to the unique analyticalchallenges that these samples present with regard to sensitivity,specificity, quantitation, and data analysis. This review discussesspecific applications of microarrays to microbial ecology research alongwith some of the latest studies addressing the difficulties encounteredduring analysis of complex microbial communities within environmentalsamples. With continued development, microarray technology may ultimatelyachieve its potential for comprehensive, high-throughput characterizationof microbial populations in near real-time.

Research Organization:
COLLABORATION - OakRidge
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC02-05CH11231
OSTI ID:
903369
Report Number(s):
LBNL-60462; MCBEBU; R&D Project: VGTLJK; BnR: KP1102010; TRN: US200720%%301
Journal Information:
Microbial Ecology, Vol. 52, Issue 2; Related Information: Journal Publication Date: 08/08/2006; ISSN 0095-3628
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English