Phenotyping Microarrays for the Characterization of Environmental Microorganisms

Abstract

Culture-based methods for the characterization of microorganisms remain essential to advances in microbiology. Phenotyping arrays and microplates in which each well represents a different selective growth environment are important tools (1) in the identification of microbial isolates, (2) in the characterization of the phenotypic fingerprint of microbial communities, (3) for linking specific functions with specific organisms or genes, and (4) for the identification of evolutionary trade-offs in the establishment of phenotypes. The use of phenotyping arrays in the study of hydrocarbon and lipid degradation by microbial isolates or communities is an emerging application. The application of phenotyping arrays requires careful selection of substrates, growth medium, and dyes and consideration of the intrinsic limitations of the approach. The use of phenotyping arrays leads to the production of large amounts of data, which require specific approaches for summarization and analysis. Liquid handling automation will increase the feasibility of custom phenotyping arrays that include hydrocarbons and lipids.

Linkage Between Dissolved Organic Matter Transformation, Bacterial Carbon Production, and Diversity in a Shallow Oligotrophic Aquifer: Results From Flow-Through Sediment Microcosm Experiments

“…The metabolic diversity of the microbial community with respect to the usage of multiple substrates was assessed using Phenotype MicroArray Plates 1 and 2 (Biolog, United States; Low-Décarie et al, 2015 ) for water samples collected from DOM-1x and DOM-5x fed sediment at t171. The wells were loaded with 200 μl water sample and incubated for 25 days at 12°C in the dark.…”