Birgit Pfeiffer, PD Dr. Rolf Daniel


Assessment of the functional diversity of soil microorganisms by metagenomics

Metagenomics paved the way for the culture-independent assessment and exploitation of soil microorganisms. Direct cloning of soil DNA and the subsequent screening of the constructed metagenomic libraries bears the potential to encounter entirely new classes of genes for new or known functions. Metagenomics is also a powerful tool for metabolic profiling and comparison of complex soil microbial communities. The metagenomic part will include (i) phylogenetic and functional microbial diversity analysis using phylogenetic and functional markers (genes for degradative enzymes or genes for key metabolic functions) and (ii) metabolic profiling of the soil microorganisms by large-scale sequencing of metagenomic DNA/RNA. In this way, phylogenetic and/or functional distribution profiles under different conditions including manipulated species richness of soil biota will be obtained and key players, i.e., genes or proteins which are of particular significance to biological processes will be identified.