Characterization of the microbial diversity in a permafrost sample from the Canadian high Arctic using culture-dependent and culture-independent methods

A combination of culture-dependent and culture-independent methodologies (Bacteria and Archaea 16S rRNA gene clone library analyses) was used to determine the microbial diversity present within a geographically distinct high Arctic permafrost sample. Culturable Bacteria isolates, identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, belonged to the phyla Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria with spore-forming Firmicutes being the most abundant; the majority of the isolates (19/23) were psychrotolerant, some (11/23) were halotolerant, and three isolates grew at -5 degrees C. A Bacteria 16S rRNA gene library containing 101 clones was composed of 42 phylotypes related to diverse phylogenetic groups including the Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Cytophaga - Flavobacteria - Bacteroides, Planctomyces and Gemmatimonadetes; the bacterial 16S rRNA gene phylotypes were dominated by Actinobacteria- and Proteobacteria-related sequences. An Archaea 16S rRNA gene clone library containing 56 clones was made up of 11 phylotypes and contained sequences related to both of the major Archaea domains (Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota); the majority of sequences in the Archaea library were related to halophilic Archaea. Characterization of the microbial diversity existing within permafrost environments is important as it will lead to a better understanding of how microorganisms function and survive in such extreme cryoenvironments.     

Bacterial Diversity in Linglong Gold Mine,China

Bacteria have been actively regulating cycles of various elements in the environment. To explore the potential bacterial role in gold biogeochemical cycling, this study analyzed the bacterial diversity of mine rock (MR) and surface soil (SS) samples from Linglong gold mine using 16S rRNA gene clone library analysis and cultivation method. From MR, 24 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified from MR, covering 3 phyla and 18 genera. Meanwhile, 24 OTUs were identified from SS, including 4 phyla and 18 genera. Compared with 16S rRNA gene clone library analysis, 28 aerobic and 34 anaerobic isolates were obtained, whereas 26 aerobic and 71 anaerobic strains were isolated from SS. The cultivable bacteria were affiliated with Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria phyla, and dominated by Firmicutes. These results underscore the high level of bacterial diversity in the gold mine. Our study provides information on the microbial diversity in Linglong gold mine and sheds light on the existence and potential function of bacteria in the gold biogeochemical cycling.     

四川冬菜中细菌群落组成及多样性

【目的】了解腌制4年的四川南充冬菜中细菌群落组成及多样性。【方法】通过16S rDNA多样性分析样品细菌落组成;采用16S rDNA-RFLP方法分析从样品中分离出的纯培养细菌。【结果】16S rDNA多样性分析结果表明,样品中细菌主要属于变形杆菌门(Proteobacteria)和厚壁菌门(Firmicutes),分别占克隆文库的87.9%、7.1%,其中包括Virgibacillus kekensis,Marinococcus albus,Salinicoccus sp.,Lactobacillus halophilus和Halomonas等中度嗜盐菌,仅有5%属于放线菌门(Actinobacteria)。通过纯培养方法从冬菜中分离到35株菌,16S rDNA-RFLP分析结果表明,34株属于厚壁菌门(Firmicutes),包括Virgibacillus,Bacillus megaterium和Gracilibacillus saliphilus等中度嗜盐菌,1株属于放线菌门(Actinobacteria)。【结论】冬菜中细菌群落多样性较低,以中度嗜盐菌为主。     

Culture-independent analysis of fecal microbiota in cattle

The phylogenetic diversity of the fecal bacterial community in Holstein cattle was determined by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence analysis. The sequences were affiliated with the following phyla: Firmicutes (81.3%), Bacteroidetes (14.4%), Actinobacteria (2.5%), and Proteobacteria (1.4%). The Clostridium leptum subgroup was the most phylogenetically diverse group in cattle feces. In addition, a number of previously uncharacterized and unidentified bacteria were recognized in clone libraries.     

大港孔店油田水驱油藏微生物群落的分子分析

通过多聚酶链式反应温度梯度凝胶电泳（PCRTGGE）和构建16S rRNA基因克隆文库两种方法对比研究了大港油田孔二北断块注水井和采油井的微生物群落结构。16S rDNA V3区PCR扩增产物的TGGE图谱分析表明,这两个油井的微生物群落结构差异很大。注水井样品的TGGE图谱中有6条主要条带,而采油井样品中只有一个条带占绝对优势。同时,建立了两个样品的16S rRNA基因克隆文库,从中分别挑选了108和50个克隆进行限制性酶切片段长度多样性分析（ARDRA）。注水井样品有33个操作分类单元（OUT）,其中6个OUT是优势类型;而采油井样品只有8个OUT,有1个OUT在文库中占绝对优势。克隆文库和TGGE的研究结果一致,均表明注水井样品的微生物多样性比采油井丰富很多。每个OUT的代表克隆序列分析结果表明,注水井样品中的细菌主要属于α、β、γ变形菌纲和放线菌纲,尤其是红细菌亚纲（47%）。采油井样品的细菌主要属于α、β、γ变形菌纲,尤其是假单胞菌属（62%）。油藏微生物多样性的分子分析可为开展微生物采油技术研究奠定基础。     

Isolation of novel bacteria, including a candidate division, from geothermal soils in New Zealand

We examined bacterial diversity of three geothermal soils in the Taupo Volcanic Zone of New Zealand. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA genes recovered directly from soils indicated that the bacterial communities differed in composition and richness, and were dominated by previously uncultured species of the phyla Actinobacteria , Acidobacteria , Chloroflexi , Proteobacteria and candidate division OP10. Aerobic, thermophilic, organotrophic bacteria were isolated using cultivation protocols that involved extended incubation times, low-pH media and gellan as a replacement gelling agent to agar. Isolates represented previously uncultured species, genera, classes, and even a new phylum of bacteria. They included members of the commonly cultivated phyla Proteobacteria , Firmicutes , Thermus/Deinococcus , Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes , as well as more-difficult-to-cultivate groups. Isolates possessing < 85% 16S rRNA gene sequence identity to any cultivated species were obtained from the phyla Acidobacteria , Chloroflexi and the previously uncultured candidate division OP10. Several isolates were prevalent in 16S rRNA gene clone libraries constructed directly from the soils. A key factor facilitating isolation was the use of gellan-solidified plates, where the gellan itself served as an energy source for certain bacteria. The results indicate that geothermal soils are a rich potential source of novel bacteria, and that relatively simple cultivation techniques are practical for isolating bacteria from these habitats.     

Molecular analysis of microbial diversity in corrosion samples from energy transmission towers

Microbial diversity in corrosion samples from energy transmission towers was investigated using molecular methods. Ribosomal DNA fragments were used to assemble gene libraries. Sequence analysis indicated 10 bacterial genera within the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. In the two libraries generated from corroded screw-derived samples, the genus Acinetobacter was the most abundant. Acinetobacter and Clostridium spp. dominated, with similar percentages, in the libraries derived from corrosion scrapings. Fungal clones were affiliated with 14 genera belonging to the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota; of these, Capnobotryella and Fellomyces were the most abundant fungi observed. Several of the microorganisms had not previously been associated with biofilms and corrosion, reinforcing the need to use molecular techniques to achieve a more comprehensive assessment of microbial diversity in environmental samples.     

Introduction of a novel 18S rDNA gene arrangement along with distinct ITS region in the saline water microalga Dunaliella

Background

Sundarban is the world's largest coastal sediment comprising of mangrove forest which covers about one million hectares in the south-eastern parts of India and southern parts of Bangladesh. The microbial diversity in this sediment is largely unknown till date. In the present study an attempt has been made to understand the microbial diversity in this sediment using a cultivation-independent molecular approach.

Results

Two 16 S rRNA gene libraries were constructed and partial sequencing of the selected clones was carried out to identify bacterial strains present in the sediment. Phylogenetic analysis of partially sequenced 16 S rRNA gene sequences revealed the diversity of bacterial strains in the Sundarban sediment. At least 8 different bacterial phyla were detected. The major divisions of detected bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta), Flexibacteria (CFB group), Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Planctomycetes and Gammatimonadates.

Conclusion

The gammaproteobacteria were found to be the most abundant bacterial group in Sundarban sediment. Many clones showed similarity with previously reported bacterial lineages recovered from various marine sediments. The present study indicates a probable hydrocarbon and oil contamination in this sediment. In the present study, a number of clones were identified that have shown similarity with bacterial clones or isolates responsible for the maintenance of the S-cycle in the saline environment.     

The desert of Tataouine: an extreme environment that hosts a wide diversity of microorganisms and radiotolerant bacteria

The phylogenetic diversity of prokaryotic communities exposed to arid conditions in the hot desert of Tataouine (south Tunisia) was estimated with a combination of a culture and - molecular-based analysis. Thirty-one isolates, representative of each dominant morphotypes, were affiliated to Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and the CFB group while none related to Archaea. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene libraries revealed the presence of species related to Bacteria and Archaea. Sequences related to Archaea were all affiliated to the non-thermophilic Crenarchaeota subgroup. Bacterial sequences were dominated by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Acidobacteria; a few sequences were distributed among eight others phyla, including Thermus/Deinococcus relatives. A correlation between tolerance to desiccation and to radiation has been demonstrated for the radiotolerant bacteria Deinococcus radiodurans. Because bacteria living in the hot desert of Tataouine are one way or another tolerant to desiccation, we investigate whether they could also be tolerant to radiation. Exposition of soil samples to intense gamma radiation yields Bacillus, Thermus/Deinococcus and alpha-Proteobacteria relatives. Four of these strains correspond to radiotolerant species as revealed by evaluation of the resistance levels of the individual cultures. A detailed analysis of the resistance levels for two Thermus/Deinococcus and two alpha-Proteobacteria relatives revealed that they correspond to new radiotolerant species.     

中国南海沉积环境可培养细菌多样性研究

【目的】探索海洋沉积环境中可培养细菌的多样性。【方法】采用纯培养分离及16S rRNA基因序列鉴定的方法,对我国南海海域20个沉积物样品进行细菌多样性分析。【结果】共获得200株细菌,分属于47个属,99个种。经系统进化分析,可培养菌株主要分布于4个类群:厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)和拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes),优势类群为Firmicutes,其中芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)所占比例为55.6%;而Actinobacteria和Bacteroidetes两个类群获得菌株较少;在Firmicutes和Actinobacteria两个类群中发现8个潜在新种和3个潜在新属级类群。【结论】初步研究结果表明,南海海洋沉积环境可培养微生物资源丰富,新物种资源多样;其中,芽孢杆菌为海洋沉积环境中的优势类群,随着样品深度的增加,细菌多样性呈现递减的趋势,深度可能是影响细菌多样性的一个重要因素;其次,分离培养基和分离方法直接关系到样品中可培养微生物多样性的发现,有待深入研究。     

Monitoring bacterial communities in raw milk and cheese by culture-dependent and -independent 16S rRNA gene-based analyses

The diversity and dynamics of bacterial populations in Saint-Nectaire, a raw-milk, semihard cheese, were investigated using a dual culture-dependent and direct molecular approach combining single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) fingerprinting and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. The dominant clones, among 125 16S rRNA genes isolated from milk, belonged to members of the Firmicutes (58% of the total clones) affiliated mainly with the orders Clostridiales and the Lactobacillales, followed by the phyla Proteobacteria (21.6%), Actinobacteria (16.8%), and Bacteroidetes (4%). Sequencing the 16S rRNA genes of 126 milk isolates collected from four culture media revealed the presence of 36 different species showing a wider diversity in the Gammaproteobacteria phylum and Staphylococcus genus than that found among clones. In cheese, a total of 21 species were obtained from 170 isolates, with dominant species belonging to the Lactobacillales and subdominant species affiliated with the Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes (Chryseobacterium sp.), or Gammaproteobacteria (Stenotrophomonas sp.). Fingerprinting DNA isolated from milk by SSCP analysis yielded complex patterns, whereas analyzing DNA isolated from cheese resulted in patterns composed of a single peak which corresponded to that of lactic acid bacteria. SSCP fingerprinting of mixtures of all colonies harvested from plate count agar supplemented with crystal violet and vancomycin showed good potential for monitoring the subdominant Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes (Flavobacteria) organisms in milk and cheese. Likewise, analyzing culturable subcommunities from cheese-ripening bacterial medium permitted assessment of the diversity of halotolerant Actinobacteria and Staphylococcus organisms. Direct and culture-dependent approaches produced complementary information, thus generating a more accurate view of milk and cheese microbial ecology.     

可可西里土壤样品中细菌多样性的分析

本实验采用纯培养和免培养相结合的方法对来源于可可西里的一份土壤样品中的细菌多样性进行了初步研究。纯培养实验使用了6种分离培养基, 共得到细菌19株, 其中放线菌7株, 非放线菌细菌12株。这些菌株分别属于叶杆菌属(Phyllobacterium)、贪食菌属(Variovorax)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、链霉菌属(Streptomyces)、小月菌属(Microlunatus)、原小单胞菌属(Promicromonospora)、韩国生工菌属(Kribbella)和芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus) 8个属。免培养分析采用基于通用引物PCR 扩增的细菌16S rRNA 基因文库的方法以及变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)。16S rRNA基因文库分析结果表明, 该土壤样品细菌群落可划分为19个OTUs, 分属于5个不同纲, 优势顺序为β-Proteobacteria (75%), α-Proteobacteria (9%), γ-Proteobacteria (7%), Actinobacteria (7%), Firmicutes (2%)。变性梯度凝胶电泳分析表明, 该样品细菌多样性指数Shannon-wiener index为2.68, 表明其中微生物多样性较低, 这可能和其所处的极端环境有一定关系。比较纯培养和免培养的实验结果发现, 土壤中的一些优势细菌并没有被有效地分离, 需要在针对特定微生物设计特定培养基及培养条件进行选择性分离上做更多的探索研究。     

辽宁盘锦三角洲翅碱蓬根系及内生细菌群落多样性

【目的】翅碱蓬(Suaeda heteroptera)是一种典型的盐碱指示物,对重金属和石油污染的盐碱土壤有一定的修复作用,但是关于翅碱蓬根系与根系内生微生物之间的关系、微生物的多样性以及根系微生物在生物修复中所起作用的研究较少。本文以盘锦"红海滩"的翅碱蓬为例,研究翅碱蓬根系及根系内生细菌菌群种类和结构。【方法】通过传统的培养方法和非培养的高通量测序方法对翅碱蓬根系土壤样品、根系附着物样品以及根系匀浆样品中微生物群落多样性进行分析。【结果】传统方法共分离得到67株细菌,选择代表菌28株,根据其形态特征和生理生化特征,结合16S r RNA基因序列比对进行鉴定,它们分别属于盐单胞菌属(Halomonas)、海细菌属(Marinobacterium)、芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)、副球菌属(Paracoccus)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、游动球菌属(Planococlus)、沙雷氏菌属(Serratia)、刘志恒菌属(Zhihengliuella)等。利用高通量测序技术对样品进行多样性分析,其中根系附着物样品的菌群丰度和多样性最高,依次分别为根系土壤样品和根系匀浆样品。3个样品中有效序列群落结构可分为12个门,包括酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、绿菌门(Chlorobi)、绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi)、蓝菌门(Cyanobacteria)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、芽单胞菌门(Gemmatimonadetes)、浮霉菌门(Planctomycetes)、变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、螺旋体门(Spirochaetes)和疣微菌门(Verrucomicrobia)。根系匀浆样品中蓝菌门为优势门类,占整个菌群的42%,变形菌门为次优势类群,占33%。变形菌门在根系附着物样品中为优势门类,占46%,拟杆菌门为次优势门类,占16%。根系土壤样品中拟杆菌门为优势门类,占整个菌群的37%,次优势类群为变形菌门,占20%。【结论】翅碱蓬根系和内生菌具有丰富的多样性,其根系微生物可能会在重金属和石油污染土壤的生物修复中起一定的修复作用。     

Bacterial diversity in rock varnish of extreme arid region of Turpan Basin

The bacterial community composition and diversity in rock varnish of Turpan Basin were investigated by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and clone library of the 16S rRNA gene. 114 positive clones were screened, which could be grouped into 28 phylotypes and then further divided into 23 different operational taxonomic units (OTUs). These were affiliated into 5 phyla (Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria). Clones from actinobacteria were the dominant, accounting for 67.5% of total clones in the library, followed by Proteobacteria (15.8%), Chloroflexi (13.2%), Firmicutes (2.6%) and Cyanobacteria (0.9%). Rubrobacter (accounts for 35%) in the phylum Actinobacteria was the dominant genus and contained many species which might be resistant to gamma radiation. A 70% of the library clone sequences showed less 97% similarity to 16S rRNA gene sequences of standard strains obtained by pure culture. Shannon–Wiener index value of this study is 2.52 and is lower than deep-sea sediments, soils, lakes and other environments. Results of this study showed that bacterial diversity in rock varnishes of Turpan Basin was low, but maybe exist a large number of new unknown taxons, especially species that could well adapted to drought and resist radiation.     

Diversity of microbes associated with the marine sponge, Haliclona simulans, isolated from Irish waters and identification of polyketide synthase genes from the sponge metagenome

Samples of the sponge Haliclona simulans were collected from Irish waters and subjected to a culture-independent analysis to determine the microbial, polyketide synthase (PKS) and non-ribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS) diversity. 16S rRNA gene libraries were prepared from total sponge, bacterial enriched sponge and seawater samples. Eight phyla from the Bacteria were detected in the sponge by phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene libraries. The most abundant phylum in the total sponge library was the Proteobacteria (86%), with the majority of these clones being from the γ- Proteobacteria (77%); two groups of clones were dominant and together made up 69% of the total. Both of these groups were related to other sponge-derived microbes and comprised novel genera. Within the other bacterial phyla groups of clones representing novel candidate genera within the phyla Verrucomicrobia and Lentisphaerae were also found. Selective enrichment of the bacterial component of the sponge prior to 16S rRNA gene analysis resulted in a 16S rRNA gene library dominated by a novel genus of δ- Proteobacteria , most closely related to the Bdellovibrio . The potential for the sponge microbiota to produce secondary metabolites was also analysed by polymerase chain reaction amplification of PKS and NRPS genes. While no NRPS sequences were isolated seven ketosynthase (KS) sequences were obtained from the sponge metagenome. Analyses of these clones revealed a diverse collection of PKS sequences which were most closely affiliated with PKS from members of the Cyanobacteria , Myxobacteria and Dinoflagellata .     

Comparison of bacterial diversity along the human intestinal tract by direct cloning and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes

Bacterial diversity of the mucosal biopsies from human jejunum, distal ileum, ascending colon and rectum were compared by analysis of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA clone libraries. A total of 347 clones from the mucosal biopsies were partially sequenced and assigned to six phylogenetic phyla of the domain Bacteria: Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Actinobacteria. The jejunum sample had least microbial diversity compared to the other samples and a trend towards highest diversity in ascending colon was observed. The clone libraries of distal ileum, ascending colon and rectum were not significantly different from each other (P>0.0043), but they differed significantly from the jejunum library (P=0.001). The population of sequences retrieved from jejunal biopsies was dominated by sequences closely related to Streptococcus (67%), while the population of sequences derived from distal ileum, ascending colon and rectum were dominated by sequences affiliated with Bacteroidetes (27-49%), and Clostridium clusters XIVa (20-34%) and IV (7-13%). The results indicate that the microbial community in jejunum is different from those in distal ileum, ascending colon and rectum, and that the major phylogenetic groups are similar from distal ileum to rectum.     

Characterizing the structural diversity of a bacterial community associated with filter materials in recirculating aquaculture systems of Scortum barcoo

The bacterial community structure associated with filter materials in the recirculating aquaculture system of Scortum barcoo was investigated using the 16S rRNA gene clone library method. Preliminary results showed that the clone library constructed from the initial operation condition was characterized by 31 taxa of bacteria belonging to eight phyla including Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Fusobacteria, Sphingobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobiae, and Actinobacteria. There were 14 taxa of bacteria belonging to four phyla including Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Planctomycetacia, and Nitrospirae from the stable operation condition where the water quality was well maintained. Nitrospirae was only found under the stable operation condition in this study. Our results further indicated that Nitrospira was dominated by members of the Nitrospira sp. lineages, with a minor fraction related to Nitrospira moscoviensis and an unknown Nitrospira cluster. These great differences of both diversity and composition between two operation conditions suggested that the composition of the microbial community varied with the degree of water quality in the recirculating aquaculture system of S.?barcoo.     

Molecular analysis of microbial diversity in corrosion samples from energy transmission towers

Microbial diversity in corrosion samples from energy transmission towers was investigated using molecular methods. Ribosomal DNA fragments were used to assemble gene libraries. Sequence analysis indicated 10 bacterial genera within the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. In the two libraries generated from corroded screw-derived samples, the genus Acinetobacter was the most abundant. Acinetobacter and Clostridium spp. dominated, with similar percentages, in the libraries derived from corrosion scrapings. Fungal clones were affiliated with 14 genera belonging to the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota; of these, Capnobotryella and Fellomyces were the most abundant fungi observed. Several of the microorganisms had not previously been associated with biofilms and corrosion, reinforcing the need to use molecular techniques to achieve a more comprehensive assessment of microbial diversity in environmental samples.     

九龙江河口区nirS型反硝化细菌多样性及系统发育学分析

【目的】结合16S rRNA基因克隆文库和nirS基因克隆文库的分析,揭示九龙江河口区nirS型反硝化细菌多样性。【方法】选取九龙江河口区一富营养化采样点,分别采集水样及沉积物样品,进行理化因子的测定并提取细菌总DNA。以水样DNA构建16S rRNA基因克隆文库,以沉积物DNA构建nirS基因克隆文库,分析微生物群落结构的多样性并构建系统发育树。【结果】从16S rRNA基因克隆文库中获得86条有效序列,按97%的序列相似性划分为53个OTU,分别属于Proteobacteria门、Planctomycetes门、Bacteroidetes门、Actinobacteria门、Firmicutes门和Chloroflexi门。其中属于Proteobacteria门OTU的克隆子占克隆数的62.9%,是最优势的类群,分属于Alphaproteobacteria、Betaproteobacteria、Gammaproteobacteria和Deltaproteobacteria纲等。从nirS基因克隆文库中获得190条有效序列,翻译为氨基酸序列后,按82%的序列相似性划分为60个OTU,并定位到属的水平。其中Proteobacteria门是最优势的类群,占文库克隆子总数的71.6%,包括Alphaproteobacteria纲(5.8%)、Betaproteobacteria纲(49.0%)和Gammaproteobacteria纲(16.9%)。nirS基因克隆文库中丰度最高的OTU与GenBank中的一株可培养反硝化菌Thauera sp. R-26906具有100%的序列相似性。【结论】九龙江河口区的微生物以及亚硝酸盐还原酶基因(nirS)具有丰富的多样性。大部分NirS序列在GenBank中的最相似序列来源于河口、海湾等相似的环境。     

Advantage of using inosine at the 3' termini of 16S rRNA gene universal primers for the study of microbial diversity

To overcome the shortcomings of universal 16S rRNA gene primers 8F and 907R when studying the diversity of complex microbial communities, the 3' termini of both primers were replaced with inosine. A comparison of the clone libraries derived using both primer sets showed seven bacterial phyla amplified by the altered primer set (8F-I/907R-I) whereas the original set amplified sequences belonging almost exclusively to Proteobacteria (95.8%). Sequences belonging to Firmicutes (42.6%) and Thermotogae (9.3%) were more abundant in a library obtained by using 8F-I/907R-I at a PCR annealing temperature of 54 degrees C, while Proteobacteria sequences were more frequent (62.7%) in a library obtained at 50 degrees C, somewhat resembling the result obtained using the original primer set. The increased diversity revealed by using primers 8F-I/907R-I confirms the usefulness of primers with inosine at the 3' termini in studying the microbial diversity of environmental samples.