New CRISPR Technique Reveals Hidden Microbial Diversity

A study led by scientists from the University of Bristol demonstrated the potential of CRISPR to help discover the diversity of organisms present in a microbial community. The findings of the study, published in Royal Society Open Science, may improve understanding of a more productive soil and improved health.

Microscopic organisms are essential to all ecosystems. However, identifying the full diversity of these microbes remains a major challenge, with most existing tools often capturing only a small portion of the species present. According to the first author, Lucia Nikolaeva-Reynolds, this limitation leaves a gap in understanding how microbial communities function and contribute to the health of ecosystems.

The research team repurposed CRISPR to better identify and understand the vast range of microbes in various ecosystems. “By capturing long DNA signatures that are unique to each type of microbe and reading these using DNA sequencing, we can provide a clearer picture of the communities present,” Lucia said. This breakthrough marks a significant step toward understanding the role of microbial communities in nature.

For more information, read the press release from the University of Bristol.