RNA stable isotope probing, a novel means of linking microbial community function to Phylogeny
Manefield, Mike; Whiteley, Andrew S.; Griffiths, Robert I.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3341-4547; Bailey, Mark J..
2002
RNA stable isotope probing, a novel means of linking microbial community function to Phylogeny.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 68 (11).
5367-5373.
10.1128/AEM.68.11.5367-5373.2002
Abstract/Summary
Identifying microorganisms responsible for recognized environmental processes remains a great challenge in contemporary microbial ecology. Only in the last few years have methodological innovations provided access to the relationship between the function of a microbial community and the phylogeny of the organisms accountable for it. In this study stable-isotope-labeled [13C]phenol was fed into a phenol-degrading community from an aerobic industrial bioreactor, and the 13C-labeled RNA produced was used to identify the bacteria responsible for the process. Stable-isotope-labeled RNA was analyzed by equilibrium density centrifugation in concert with reverse transcription-PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. In contradiction with findings from conventional methodologies, this unique approach revealed that phenol degradation in the microbial community under investigation is dominated by a member of the Thauera genus. Our results suggest that this organism is important for the function of this bioreactor.
| Item Type: | Publication - Article |
|---|---|
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | 10.1128/AEM.68.11.5367-5373.2002 |
| Programmes: | CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Other |
| UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas: | _ Molecular Microbial Ecology |
| ISSN: | 0099-2240 |
| NORA Subject Terms: | Biology and Microbiology |
| Date made live: | 26 Apr 2012 14:20 +0 (UTC) |
| URI: | https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/13813 |
Actions (login required)
![]() |
View Item |
Document Downloads
Downloads for past 30 days
Downloads per month over past year

Altmetric
Altmetric