Microbiomes and Metagenomes Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover essential concepts and findings from the lecture on microbiomes and metagenomes, aiding in exam preparation.

What is a microbiome?

The entire habitat, including microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, higher eukaryotes, and viruses), their genomes, and surrounding environmental conditions.

What is a metagenome?

The collection of genomes and genes from the members of a microbiota, obtained through shotgun sequencing of DNA, providing insight into the potential function of the microbiota.

What major technologies allow researchers to investigate microbiomes without culturing them?

High-throughput DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Which gene is frequently used to 'fingerprint' different microbial organisms?

The 16S rRNA gene.

What does the Human Microbiome Project aim to characterize?

The gut, skin, and oral microbiomes of healthy human subjects.

What major contribution did Norman Pace and colleagues make to microbiome research?

They were the first to isolate, sequence, and analyze DNA from complex environmental samples using the 16S rRNA gene.

How many microbes approximately live in/on the human body?

Approximately 100 trillion microbes.

What is the significance of shotgun whole genome approaches in microbiome research?

They allow for taxonomic and functional information by targeting all DNA in a sample.

What does the term 'Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU)' refer to?

A group of very similar 16S sequences used in microbial ecology.

What is one finding from Ruth Ley's research on gut microbiota?

The microbe Christensenella minuta was found more often in lean individuals than in obese subjects.