16S rRNA Sequencing: A PCR-based Technique to Identify Bacteria.
16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing can identify bacteria.
This method allows identification of strains that are difficult to grow in laboratory conditions.
The differentiation of strains at the molecular level enables discrimination between phenotypically identical bacteria.
16S rRNA joins with a complex of 19 proteins to form a 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome.
The 30S subunit is encoded by the 16S rRNA gene, which is present and highly conserved in all bacteria due to its essential function in ribosome assembly.
It also contains variable regions which may serve as fingerprints for particular species.
The 16S rRNA gene an ideal genetic fragment to be used in identification, comparison, and phylogenetic classification of bacteria.
16S rRNA gene sequencing is based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by DNA sequencing.