METAGENOMICS: DNA SEQUENCING OF UNCULTURED MICROORGANISMS

Microbiology has completely transformed in the last 25 years and the realization that most microorganisms cannot be grown in a pure culture resulted in new methods of analyzing genomic diversity. One such method, Metagenomics, refers to the study of microorganisms on the basis of their genomic diversity, acquired directly from environmental samples. It facilitates the study of physiology and ecology of environmental microorganisms through a vast array of sequencing and functional techniques. Over the years, many sequencing techniques like Sangers Sequencing, Shotgun Sequencing, Whole Metagenomic Sequencing and 16s rRNA gene sequencing were used, which revolutionized the portrait of the microbial world. Microbiome profiles of these samples can be generated and analysed through various statistical tools like functional annotations, marker data profiling and biomarker detection which can give a description of community membership, and provide insight into the genetics and biochemistry of the members. The application of metagenomic sequence information will result in better culturing strategies and help link genomic analysis with pure culture studies.