Simultaneous dna-rna extraction from coastal sediments and quantification of 16s rrna genes and transcripts by real-time pcr
Tatti, Enrico McKew, Boyd A. Whitby, Corrine Smith, Cindy J.
Tatti, Enrico
McKew, Boyd A.
Whitby, Corrine
Smith, Cindy J.
Publication Date
2016-06-11
Type
Article
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Tatti, Enrico; McKew, Boyd A. Whitby, Corrine; Smith, Cindy J. (2016). Simultaneous dna-rna extraction from coastal sediments and quantification of 16s rrna genes and transcripts by real-time pcr. Journal of Visualized Experiments (112),
Abstract
Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction also known as quantitative PCR (q-PCR) is a widely used tool in microbial ecology to quantify gene abundances of taxonomic and functional groups in environmental samples. Used in combination with a reverse transcriptase reaction (RT-q-PCR), it can also be employed to quantify gene transcripts. q-PCR makes use of highly sensitive fluorescent detection chemistries that allow quantification of PCR amplicons during the exponential phase of the reaction. Therefore, the biases associated with 'end-point' PCR detected in the plateau phase of the PCR reaction are avoided. A protocol to quantify bacterial 16S rRNA genes and transcripts from coastal sediments via real-time PCR is provided. First, a method for the co-extraction of DNA and RNA from coastal sediments, including the additional steps required for the preparation of DNA-free RNA, is outlined. Second, a step-by-step guide for the quantification of 16S rRNA genes and transcripts from the extracted nucleic acids via q-PCR and RT-q-PCR is outlined. This includes details for the construction of DNA and RNA standard curves. Key considerations for the use of RT-q-PCR assays in microbial ecology are included.
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MyJove Corporation
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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Ireland