Can results between different target groups be compared to one another?
- Date added:
- Thursday, 05 February 2009
Answer
Results based on the CENSUS approach can be compared to each other because a conversion from gene copies to cells is made (based on an average number of gene copies found in that organism or group).
However, results obtained using CENSUS-Expression (RNA) need to be compared based upon what type of gene we analyzed (functional gene vs. taxonomic gene). Results which rely on taxonomic biomarkers or the 16S rRNA are determined based on ribosomal RNA (rRNA) found within the cell whereas results obtained from targeting functional genes are based upon messenger RNA (mRNA).
