Sequencing DNA directly from environmental samples to study unculturable microbial communities.
DNA is extracted from a sample, sequenced and assembled. It reveals that over 99 percent of microbes cannot be cultured. The Human Microbiome Project and Tara Oceans characterise microbial communities.
Metagenomics can find new antibiotics and enzymes. Binning reconstructs genomes of uncultured organisms.
Remember: it reveals who is there and what they might do.
Sequencing DNA directly from environmental samples to study unculturable microbial communities.
Metagenomics is one of the 54 topics in Microbiology. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Gut-Brain Axis, Microbiome, Two-Component Systems.
Metagenomics found new CRISPR systems.
Work through the Beginner topics in Microbiology first, such as Microorganisms, Bacteria, Archaea, then return to Metagenomics. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Metagenomics are Gut-Brain Axis, Microbiome, Two-Component Systems, Microbial Taxonomy. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Metagenomics. To practise the whole of Microbiology, use the Microbiology quiz.
Metagenomics: Sequencing DNA directly from environmental samples to study unculturable microbial communities. Gut-Brain Axis: Bidirectional communication between gut microbes and the nervous system via metabolites, immune and vagal signals. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Gut-Brain Axis and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Microbiology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Bidirectional communication between gut microbes and the nervous system via metabolites, immune and vagal signals.
🦠 MicrobiologyThe community of microorganisms living in and on a host, such as the human gut.
🦠 MicrobiologySensor kinase and response regulator pairs that let bacteria sense and respond to environmental changes.
🦠 MicrobiologyClassification of microbes using phenotypic traits, rRNA and whole-genome similarity.
🦠 Microbiology