Prokaryotic cDNA Subtraction: A Method to Rapidly Identify Functional Gene Biomarkers
Abstract
Perchlorate contamination of groundwater and surface water has been detected in at least 36 states and represents a public health concern. Bacteria capable of reducing perchlorate to chloride are ubiquitous in the environment, making biological perchlorate reduction an attractive treatment approach. For biological treatment to be successful, perchlorate-reducing bacteria (PRB) must not only be present, but they must also synthesize the enzymes that catalyze perchlorate reduction. The synthesis of specific enzymes, termed gene expression, is often regulated by each cell in response to environmental conditions (e.g., influent water characteristics). Changes in the composition or activity of the microbial community can lead to declines in perchlorate removal and ultimately, if left unchecked, failure of the treatment process. Molecular biology tools (MBT) can be used to determine how the composition and activity of microbial communities change in response to operational parameters and to gain insight into the causes of process upsets. While many studies have sought to quantify particular groups of bacteria by targeting their 16S rRNA genes, this approach is not ideal for PRB because they are phylogenetically diverse. MBT that target functional genes (e.g., genes that encode biodegradation enzymes), might prove more useful for determining the capabilities of the bacterial communities and for predicting process performance. Functional genes can be interrogated at the level of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to determine functional potential or at the level of ribonucleic acid (RNA) to determine functional activity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA534087
Entities
People
- Kerry A. Kinney
- Mary J. Kirisits
- Susan K. De Long
Organizations
- University of Texas at Austin