DNA Based Identification of Isolated Microbes

Pure isolates or cultures provide an excellent platform for rapid DNA extraction, amplification, sequencing, and identification. MI identifies isolates using an approximately 500 base pair fragment of the 16S rRNA gene within the Variable 1 through 3 region. Identifications are based upon sequence comparison with a national database (Ribosomal Database Project (RDP) and GenBank) rather than an "in house" database which may exclude environmental organisms.

Sequences that do not provided known identifications are often due to the presence of contaminant organisms which can be easily separated and identified using DGGE.