Microbial Insights

Profile and identify dominant members within a microbial community.

Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) is a DNA-based technique which generates a genetic profile or “fingerprint” of the microbial community. Individual DNA sequences or “bands” from this profile can be excised and sequenced to identify the dominant members of the microbial population.

• Bioremediation Assessment

• Wastewater Treatment

• Drinking Water Treatment

• Biofilm Formation

• Microbial Induced Corrosion

• Identification of Microbial Contaminants in Commercial/Industrial Products

For bioremediation assessment, DGGE profiles and sequence analysis are commonly used for evaluating the similarities/differences in the microbial community composition (dominant bacterial or fungal groups) between different samples and examining changes or “shifts” in microbial community composition over time or following a treatment. For example, DGGE can be used to determine the differences in the dominant bacterial groups in contaminated versus non-contaminated groundwater monitoring wells to evaluate which groups are enriched in impacted zones. Likewise, DGGE can be utilized to determine which bacterial groups are stimulated following a corrective action such as addition of a growth substrate or nutrient.

DGGE fingerprints can be produced and dominant microorganisms can be identified for a variety of target groups.