Molecular cloning and characterization of a halotolerant α-amylase from marine metagenomic library derived from Arabian Sea sediments.

Functional screening of a metagenomic library of marine sediment revealed an amylolytic clone BTM109. This report states the purification and characterization of a moderately halotolerant α-amylase, with more than 51% activity in 2.5 M NaCl.

Evaluation of five in situ lysis protocols for PCR amenable metagenomic DNA from mangrove soils.

Microbes in nature are rarely amenable to growth by standard microbiological methods, with the majority being unculturable. Metagenomic methods help to bypass and overcome the limitations of traditional culturing method; wherein total community DNA is isolated, cloned into suitable vector and host systems. However, isolation of total community DNA itself remains a challenge.