Evaluation of procedures for the collection, processing, and analysis of biomolecules from low-biomass surfaces.

ABSTRACT: To comprehensively assess microbial diversity and abundance via molecular-analysis-based methods, procedures for sample collection, processing, and analysis were evaluated in depth. A model microbial community (MMC) of known composition, representative of a typical low-biomass surface sample, was used to examine the effects of variables in sampling matrices, target cell density/molecule concentration, and cryogenic storage on the overall efficacy of the sampling regimen. The MMC used in this study comprised 11 distinct species of bacterial, archaeal, and fungal lineages associated with either spacecraft or clean-room surfaces. A known cellular density of MMC was deposited onto stainless steel coupons, and after drying, a variety of sampling devices were used to recover cells and biomolecul

SUBMITTER: Kwan K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3126404 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature