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Combined imaging and molecular techniques for evaluating microbial function and composition: A review
Author(s) -
Weisener Christopher G.,
Reid Thomas
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
surface and interface analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1096-9918
pISSN - 0142-2421
DOI - 10.1002/sia.6317
Subject(s) - microscale chemistry , function (biology) , biochemical engineering , nanotechnology , synchrotron , chemical imaging , chemistry , microbial population biology , metabolomics , biological system , environmental chemistry , biology , computer science , materials science , bacteria , evolutionary biology , physics , artificial intelligence , mathematics education , mathematics , nuclear physics , engineering , hyperspectral imaging , genetics , chromatography
In most cases, microbial function will determine the direction and onset of specific metabolic pathways as defined by their favorable thermodynamic outcome. Thus, the degree of chemical alteration in contact with minerals and bacteria can be directly proportional to the biological activity. This activity can influence redox conditions both from a localized perspective and global scale. Under these conditions, microscale mechanisms become important, impacting both molecular diffusion and the distribution of substrates and products. Visualizing microorganisms in their natural environments is no simple task and requires analytical tools that can measure cell function and chemical speciation at the sub‐micrometer level. In the last decade, the scientific community has observed a rapid increase in development of advanced imaging methods (eg, high‐resolution secondary mass spectrometry [NanoSIMS]) and synchrotron‐based approaches such as scanning transmission X‐ray microscopy (STXM). Coupled to culture‐independent techniques (eg, next generation sequencing technologies), these combined approaches excel at exploring microbial/mineral and sediment dynamics leading to valuable insight into both structure and function of single cells and diverse microbial communities in engineered and natural environments. This review focuses on recent advances in high‐resolution imaging and molecular‐based tools used to characterize microbial communities and function within natural systems. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.