TY - JOUR
T1 - The unseen world
T2 - Environmental microbial sequencing and identification methods for ecologists
AU - Zimmerman, Naupaka
AU - Izard, Jacques
AU - Klatt, Christian
AU - Zhou, Jizhong
AU - Aronson, Emma
PY - 2014/5
Y1 - 2014/5
N2 - Microorganisms inhabit almost every environment, comprise the majority of diversity on Earth, are important in biogeochemical cycling, and may be vital to ecosystem responses to large-scale climatic change. In recent years, ecologists have begun to use rapidly advancing molecular techniques to address questions about microbial diversity, biogeography, and responses to environmental change. Studies of microbes in the environment generally focus on three broad objectives: determining which organisms are present, what their functional capabilities are, and which are active at any given time. However, comprehending the range of methodologies currently in use can be daunting. To provide an overview of environmental microbial sequence data collection and analysis approaches, we include case studies of microbiomes ranging from the human mouth to geothermal springs. We also suggest contexts in which each technique can be applied and highlight insights that result from their use.
AB - Microorganisms inhabit almost every environment, comprise the majority of diversity on Earth, are important in biogeochemical cycling, and may be vital to ecosystem responses to large-scale climatic change. In recent years, ecologists have begun to use rapidly advancing molecular techniques to address questions about microbial diversity, biogeography, and responses to environmental change. Studies of microbes in the environment generally focus on three broad objectives: determining which organisms are present, what their functional capabilities are, and which are active at any given time. However, comprehending the range of methodologies currently in use can be daunting. To provide an overview of environmental microbial sequence data collection and analysis approaches, we include case studies of microbiomes ranging from the human mouth to geothermal springs. We also suggest contexts in which each technique can be applied and highlight insights that result from their use.
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U2 - 10.1890/130055
DO - 10.1890/130055
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:84903203404
SN - 1540-9295
VL - 12
SP - 224
EP - 231
JO - Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
JF - Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
IS - 4
ER -