Abstract
In the last decade, microbial ecologists have increasingly applied molecular techniques to investigate microorganisms in natural environments. The use of molecular tools has allowed the identification of new and uncultured microbial species, and has greatly advanced our knowledge on the diversity and functioning of microbial communities in aquatic ecosystems. At the same time, the discovery of large quantities of extracellular DNA in both seawater and sediments is opening up new questions on the role and significance of these components in biogeochemical cycles and, potentially, also in horizontal gene transfer. This chapter describes the most recent methods for the extraction, quantification and isolation of intracellular and extracellular DNA in water and sediment samples. An outline of methods currently used in marine molecular ecology and their limitations is presented. The application of various molecular tools for studying DNA associated with microorganisms and for investigating the extracellular fraction is critically discussed. Some recent discoveries and new perspectives for future research are highlighted.
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Danovaro, R., Corinaldesi, C., Luna, G.M., Dell'Anno, A. Molecular Tools for the Analysis of DNA in Marine Environments. In: Volkman, J.K. (eds) Marine Organic Matter: Biomarkers, Isotopes and DNA. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 2N. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2_004
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