Detection of bacteria associated with harmful algal blooms from coastal and microcosm environments using electronic microarrays.

With the global expansion of harmful algal blooms (HABs), several measures, including molecular approaches, have been undertaken to monitor its occurrence. Many reports have indicated the significant roles of bacteria in controlling algal bloom dynamics. Attempts have been made to utilize the bacteria/harmful algae relationship in HAB monitoring.

Profiling and monitoring of microbial populations by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography.

We describe a new molecular technique for the analysis of microbial species and complex microbial populations based on the separation of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA fragments by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). Using marine bacterial samples, we determined the optimum conditions for the analysis of bacterial species and the examination of complex bacterial assemblages obtained from different environments. The incorporation of a 40-bp GC clamp into the amplification primer was essential to effectively discriminate genetic differences in DHPLC-primers with a 20-, 10-, or 0-bp GC clamp length were less efficient.

Electronic microarray analysis of 16S rDNA amplicons for bacterial detection.

Electronic microarray technology is a potential alternative in bacterial detection and identification. However, conditions for bacterial detection by electronic microarray need optimization. Using the NanoChip electronic microarray, we investigated eight marine bacterial species.