DUGi

Mètodes moleculars per l’estudi de comunitats microbianes

http://dugi.udg.edu/item/http:@@@@hdl.handle.net@@10256@@28560

This work presents a comprehensive review of key molecular techniques applied to the study of microbial communities, particularly emphasizing experimental procedures, technical particularities, specific advantages, and their suitability to different microbial contexts. Metagenomics, based on total DNA analysis, enables the identification of microorganisms present and characterizes the overall functional potential of complex or unknown communities, providing high taxonomic and functional resolution. Metabarcoding, also DNA-based, employs specific genetic markers (e.g., the 16S rRNA gene), allowing rapid and precise taxonomic identification, ideal for highly diverse communities. Metatranscriptomics, centered on RNA analysis, reveals actively expressed genes, providing valuable dynamic and functional information for environmental or intestinal microbiome studies. Metaproteomics examines proteins directly, informing about active metabolic functions, particularly effective when prior genomic or metagenomic data is available. Metabolomics analyzes final microbial metabolites, providing detailed physiological insight, especially suited to well-defined communities with existing references. RT-qPCR specifically quantifies the expression of targeted genes with high sensitivity, ideal for monitoring specific genes in targeted studies. Lastly, single-cell genomics enables investigation of rare, uncultivable, or poorly understood microorganisms, facilitating detailed genetic and functional characterization. This review emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate methodologies based on the specific characteristics of each microbial community, highlighting the integration of these omics techniques as the optimal strategy for a deep understanding of microbiomes

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