Advancements in molecular techniques for better understanding of microbial populations affecting animals

The use of molecular techniques focusing nucleic acid probes is revolutionizing characterization of microbial evolution and ecology, thus presenting a better understanding about the seat of various disease endemics. Genetic fingerprinting techniques that provide a sequence of genetic diversity have been applied in a variety of environmental studies for microbial community analysis. Whole-cell hybridization; a dynamic technique used to study structure and function of microbial communities and describe the expression of various key enzymes. PCR allows amplification of single DNA sequence into millions of DNA molecules. Additionally, PCR is used to lookup for certain DNA fragment in a cDNA library.

 

Expression cloning technique is made use for understanding protein function. DNA encoding particular protein is cloned using PCR by expression vector called “plasmid”. The plasmid introduced to either animal or a bacterial cell has promoter elements that can stimulate high expression of desired protein for examination of its enzymatic activity. Gel electrophoresis is used to separate DNA, RNA, and proteins based on their size by applying electric field as DNA is run through an agarose gel. DNA microarrays or DNA chip is a collection of DNA spots mounted on a solid surface that can be used to quantify protein expressions among a large number of genes. Further development of these techniques will result in tremendous insights into functional interactions, spatial and temporal relationships between different microorganisms which would facilitate the production of healthier animals contributing “food security”.