Challenges in quantifying microbial gene expression in soil using quantitative reverse transcription real-time PCR

Saleema Saleh-Lakha; Kelly E Shannon; Claudia Goyer; Jack T Trevors

doi:10.1016/j.mimet.2011.03.007

Challenges in quantifying microbial gene expression in soil using quantitative reverse transcription real-time PCR

J Microbiol Methods. 2011 Jun;85(3):239-43. doi: 10.1016/j.mimet.2011.03.007. Epub 2011 Mar 21.

Authors

Saleema Saleh-Lakha¹, Kelly E Shannon, Claudia Goyer, Jack T Trevors

Affiliation

¹ School of Environmental Sciences, Laboratory of Microbiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1. ssaleema@uoguelph.ca

PMID: 21420445
DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2011.03.007

Abstract

The quantification of microbial gene expression in diverse soil samples via quantitative reverse transcription real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) has numerous challenges including total RNA extraction, sample preparation, qRT-PCR optimization and the correlation of gene expression with function. Despite these challenges, microbial gene expression has been successfully quantified in soil microorganisms, and will yield valuable information on soil functions and expression of genes in soil samples. In this perspective we discuss challenges of measuring microbial gene expression and highlight recent applications using qRT-PCR to research gene function in soil.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Gene Expression Profiling / methods*
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
Soil Microbiology*