The easiest way of detecting specific nucleic acid sequences or genes of interest is through direct hybridization of a probe to microbial nucleic acid extracts. Whole-cell DNA or RNA is extracted from the environmental sample and fixed to a positively charged membrane, e.g. nylon or nitrocellulose. Bacterial colonies can also be replica-plated from agar plates to membranes and their nucleic

Abstract

The easiest way of detecting specific nucleic acid sequences or genes of interest is through direct hybridization of a probe to microbial nucleic acid extracts. Whole-cell DNA or RNA is extracted from the environmental sample and fixed to a positively charged membrane, e.g. nylon or nitrocellulose. Bacterial colonies can also be replica-plated from agar plates to membranes and their nucleic