laboratory investigations using leading edge methodologies in microbial ecology, stable isotope probing, and soil energetics to understand links between microbial communities (structure, activity) and soil biogeochemical processes and plant-microbe interactions.
Metagenomics tools will enable you to explore on who is there and what they are doing
This depends on the question that you are trying to answer. There are two main tools that you can use i.e. spectroscopy and sequencing. Spectroscopic techniques can help you study proteins and microbial interactions whereas genomic or sequencing techniques can help you identify which microbes are present in the ecosystem. Another approach is to study RNA and see which genes are being transcribed and see if a group of microorganisms are active or non-active. Again, first you should know what you want to study because that will help you choose the right tool.
For protein and RNA we are having metaproteomics and metatranscriptomics tools as well to explore the functional diversity of hidden microbes.
- Badges
- Science topic