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Stable-isotope probing as a tool in microbial ecology

Author

Listed:
  • Stefan Radajewski

    (University of Warwick)

  • Philip Ineson

    (Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Merlewood Research Station
    University of York)

  • Nisha R. Parekh

    (Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Merlewood Research Station)

  • J. Colin Murrell

    (University of Warwick)

Abstract

Microorganisms are responsible for driving the biogeochemical cycling of elements on Earth. Despite their importance and vast diversity1, the taxonomic identity of the microorganisms involved in any specific process has usually been confined to that small fraction of the microbiota that has been isolated and cultivated. The recent coupling of molecular biological methods with stable-isotope abundance in biomarkers has provided a cultivation-independent means of linking the identity of bacteria with their function in the environment2,3. Here we show that 13C-DNA, produced during the growth of metabolically distinct microbial groups on a 13C-enriched carbon source, can be resolved from 12C-DNA by density-gradient centrifugation. DNA isolated from the target group of microorganisms can be characterized taxonomically and functionally by gene probing and sequence analysis. Application of this technique to investigate methanol-utilizing microorganisms in soil demonstrated the involvement of members of two phylogenetically distinct groups of eubacteria; the α-proteobacterial and Acidobacterium lineages. Stable-isotope probing thus offers a powerful new technique for identifying microorganisms that are actively involved in specific metabolic processes under conditions which approach those occurring in situ .

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Radajewski & Philip Ineson & Nisha R. Parekh & J. Colin Murrell, 2000. "Stable-isotope probing as a tool in microbial ecology," Nature, Nature, vol. 403(6770), pages 646-649, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:403:y:2000:i:6770:d:10.1038_35001054
    DOI: 10.1038/35001054
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    Cited by:

    1. Barrios, Edmundo, 2007. "Soil biota, ecosystem services and land productivity," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(2), pages 269-285, December.
    2. Teng-xiang Lian & Guang-hua Wang & Zhen-hua Yu & Xiao-bing Liu & Jian Jin Author-Workplace- Name:Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Namık Kemal University, Turkey & Teng-xiang Lian Autho, 2016. "Critical Level of 13C Enrichment for the Successful Isolation of 13C Labeled DNA," Agricultural Research & Technology: Open Access Journal, Juniper Publishers Inc., vol. 1(2), pages 29-33, January.
    3. Vavilin, V.A., 2010. "Equation for isotope accumulation in products and biomass as a way to reveal the pathways in mesophilic methanol methanization by microbial community," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 221(24), pages 2881-2886.

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