We explored the combination of metagenomic library and DNA microarray technologies into a single platform as a novel way to rapidly screen metagenomic libraries for genetic targets. In the "metagenomic microarray" system, metagenomic library clone DNA is printed on a microarray surface, and clones of interest are detected by hybridization to single-gene probes. This study represents the initial steps in the development of this technology. We constructed two 5,000-clone large-insert metagenomic libraries from two diesel-contaminated Arctic soil samples. We developed and optimized an automated fosmid purification protocol to rapidly-extract clone DNA in a high-throughput 96-well format. We then created a series of small prototype arrays to optimize various parameters of microarray printing and hybridization, to identify and resolve technical challenges, and to provide proof-of-principle of this novel application. Our results suggest that this method shows promise, but more experimentation must be done to establish the feasibility of this approach.

No description available.

Solos apresentam hidrocarbonetos gasosos em quantidades variáveis e acredita-se que as formações de reservatórios de óleo podem ser detectáveis indiretamente utilizando-se bactérias no solo capazes de degradá-los. O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar comunidades microbianas envolvidas com o metabolismo desses hidrocarbonetos. As amostras de solo Np (área não petrolífera) e Solo P (área petrolífera) foram analisadas através da construção de bibliotecas do gene RNAr 16S de bactérias e arquéias e de genes catabólicos que codificam enzimas monooxigenases solúveis (SDIMO). As comunidades apresentaram estrutura diferente em relação aos grupos de bactérias e arqueias e análise dos genes catabólicos indicou maior riqueza e diversidade no solo P. A maior parte do clones se mostrou filogeneticamente mais próxima de sequências de enzimas de bactérias não cultivadas proveniente de amostras ambientais. Análises de cromatografia gasosa realizadas logo após a coleta detectaram maiores níveis de metano no solo P e maiores níveis de etano e propano no solo Np. A técnica de PCR quantitativo (Real Time PCR) mostrou um número maior de cópias do rRNA 16S no solo Np, mas não foi eficiente em quantificar os genes degradadores de gases leves presentes no solo. / Gaseous hydrocarbons occur in sub-surface soil in highly variable amounts and oil reservoirs formations are supposed to be indirectly detectable through soil microbial populations capable of consuming it. The goal of the present work was to characterize microbial communities involved in short-chain alkane metabolism in soils in and off sedimentary basin areas (named P and Np soil, respectively). Three clone libraries were constructed for each sample, one 16S rRNA gene library for each of the Domains Bacteria and Archaea, and one for the catabolic gene coding for the soluble di-iron monooxygenase (SDIMO) enzyme. Bacterial and archaeal communities structures were different between the samples. Analysis of the catabolic genes presented higher values of richness and diversity in soil P. The sequences from soil samples were more closely related to each other than to reference sequences. Short-chain hydrocarbon measures performed just after samples were collected showed higher levels of methane and lower levels of ethane and propane in soil P in comparison to soil Np. A real-time PCR method was not successful in yielding the catabolic gene quantification suggesting that such genes occur in very low abundance in the soil samples under study.

Thesis (M. A.)--University of Canterbury, 2006. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 118-130). Also available via the World Wide Web

Thesis (MSc (Genetics))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Signoret), is a severe pest of grapevine in many grape and wine producing countries around the world. It is renowned not only for the considerable damage it infers to grapevine of its own accord, but in particular for its role in transmitting deleterious viral diseases such as grapevine leafroll disease, Kober stem grooving, Shiraz disease and corky bark. Incidentally, it is an exceptionally tenacious antagonist of grapevine, being resistant to both chemical and biological control mechanisms. As a result, finding an effective strategy for P. ficus control has become a main priority of viticultural industries worldwide. Possible implementation of biotechnological approaches to pest management has resulted in a need for P. ficus genetic data - of which there are currently very little available. The transcribed genes of an organism can be captured in a cDNA library, and the sequences of the various transcripts can then be characterized. In this study altogether five cDNA libraries were constructed from the transcribed sequences of Planococcus ficus (Signoret). Instrumental to their construction was the identification of an RNA extraction protocol that provided large quantities of high quality RNA from mealybugs. The five cDNA libraries were the result of a set of modifications to the Creator™ SMART™ cDNA Library Construction Kit (used for Primary Library construction), and differed mainly with regards to range of insert sizes they contain. Whereas an abundance of short fragments were found in the Primary Library (42% of screened inserts 60.5 kb, and 20% >1 kb), the Fractionated Libraries contained inserts of specific size ranges that were more-or-less equally represented. The broadest size range was found in Fractionated Library 4, for which a uniform distribution over the range 0.25 kb - 4 kb was observed. Average insert sizes of Fractionated Libraries 1 to 4 were estimated at 0.25 kb, 0.5 kb, 1 kb and 2 kb respectively. These results demonstrated the importance of using a protocol designed to circumvent the bias towards incorporation of shorter transcripts in cDNA libraries. Although the libraries were not exhaustively analyzed, the outcome of a pilot investigation indicated that 41% of the submitted sequences had matches in the non-redundant database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI, E-value 6 10-5), and that approximately 82% of these were of insect origin. Moreover, two potential targets for an RNAi-mediated approach to P. ficus pest control were identified. With one exception, these sequences seemed to be unique to arthropods. Future research needs to investigate the efficiency by which these sequences are able to constrain P. ficus proliferation, and their suitability for grapevine transformation.

Solos apresentam hidrocarbonetos gasosos em quantidades variáveis e acredita-se que as formações de reservatórios de óleo podem ser detectáveis indiretamente utilizando-se bactérias no solo capazes de degradá-los. O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar comunidades microbianas envolvidas com o metabolismo desses hidrocarbonetos. As amostras de solo Np (área não petrolífera) e Solo P (área petrolífera) foram analisadas através da construção de bibliotecas do gene RNAr 16S de bactérias e arquéias e de genes catabólicos que codificam enzimas monooxigenases solúveis (SDIMO). As comunidades apresentaram estrutura diferente em relação aos grupos de bactérias e arqueias e análise dos genes catabólicos indicou maior riqueza e diversidade no solo P. A maior parte do clones se mostrou filogeneticamente mais próxima de sequências de enzimas de bactérias não cultivadas proveniente de amostras ambientais. Análises de cromatografia gasosa realizadas logo após a coleta detectaram maiores níveis de metano no solo P e maiores níveis de etano e propano no solo Np. A técnica de PCR quantitativo (Real Time PCR) mostrou um número maior de cópias do rRNA 16S no solo Np, mas não foi eficiente em quantificar os genes degradadores de gases leves presentes no solo. / Gaseous hydrocarbons occur in sub-surface soil in highly variable amounts and oil reservoirs formations are supposed to be indirectly detectable through soil microbial populations capable of consuming it. The goal of the present work was to characterize microbial communities involved in short-chain alkane metabolism in soils in and off sedimentary basin areas (named P and Np soil, respectively). Three clone libraries were constructed for each sample, one 16S rRNA gene library for each of the Domains Bacteria and Archaea, and one for the catabolic gene coding for the soluble di-iron monooxygenase (SDIMO) enzyme. Bacterial and archaeal communities structures were different between the samples. Analysis of the catabolic genes presented higher values of richness and diversity in soil P. The sequences from soil samples were more closely related to each other than to reference sequences. Short-chain hydrocarbon measures performed just after samples were collected showed higher levels of methane and lower levels of ethane and propane in soil P in comparison to soil Np. A real-time PCR method was not successful in yielding the catabolic gene quantification suggesting that such genes occur in very low abundance in the soil samples under study.

Thesis (S.M.)--Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 52-56). / Functional screening of environmental genomic libraries permits the identification of clones expressing activities of interest without requiring prior knowledge of the genes responsible. In this study, protocols were optimized for the construction of mid-size DNA insert, inducible expression environmental genomic plasmid libraries for this purpose. A library with a mean insert size of 5.2 kilobases was constructed with environmental DNA isolated from surface ocean water collected at Hawaii Ocean Time-series station ALOHA in plasmid cloning vector pMCL200 under the inducible control of the PLAC promoter. To begin to evaluate the utility of such libraries for gene expression-based screens, this library was screened phenotypically for clones expressing genes that confer fluorescence or distinctive coloration on colonies of host Escherichia coli cells, and results were compared to those for a fosmid library constructed from the same marine microbial DNA sample. Ecologically relevant sequences were identified in both libraries, and each was observed to offer both advantages and disadvantages. Results of this study suggest that mid-size insert plasmid libraries under the control of inducible promoters can provide a useful and complementary approach for both functional screening and shotgun sequencing of environmental genomic libraries. / by Jennifer C. Braff. / S.M.