Microorganisms are currently best identified using 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene sequencing techniques. In recent years, however, the MALDI-TOF MS (Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry) has emerged as a potential tool for microbial identification. Which one is better?
Dear Sujan,
No doubt, MALDI-TOF-MS contributed significantly in microbial identification especially in clinical microbiology but MALDI-TOF_MS based identification [Biotyping] is limited to available databases. But in contrast to MALDI-TOF-MS, 16SrRNA gene sequencing is giving acurate identification of all bacterial strains. finally selection of identification microbial proceses is totaly depend on the target of researcher. MALDI-TOF-MS and 16SrRNA gene sequencing both technologies are working on diffrent principle and their outcome is also different. Finaly every identification technology is equally important and they have their some limitations also.
thanks
Dhananjay
To me none these techniques are effective enough to identify or detect micoorganisms in a given sample. The 16 S or 18 S ribosomal gene sequencing has some inherent drawbacks like lower taxonomic resolution (up to genus level), can’t detect other microbial fractions like viruses and archaea, metabolic profiling is not possible, and accuracy is sometimes questionable (only 2.5%). Whereas the WMS can give higher taxonomic resolution up to strain-level, associated virulence factors, ARGs, and resistome.
Both the above answers are correct but some details are wrong. So I just wanted to make corrections:
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