DNA stable-isotope probing is a cultivation-independent method to identify and characterize active communities of microorganisms that are capable of utilizing specific substrates. Assimilation of substrate enriched in heavy isotope leads to incorporation of labelled atoms into microbial biomass. Density gradient ultracentrifugation retrieves labelled DNA for downstream molecular analyses.
Proper design of stable-isotope probing experiments is of critical importance for obtaining labelled DNA above the background unlabelled community. Considerations related to sample incubation times, substrate concentrations, incubation conditions (e.g. nutrients, soil moisture content), cross-feeding and replication have been discussed elsewhere 10,18 and we recommend the reader consult these publications when designing a SIP incubation. Related to the current protocol, it is worth commenting on additional con…
The authors have nothing to disclose.
This work was supported by Strategic Project and Discovery Grants to J.D.N. from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Material Name | Type | Company | Catalogue Number | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bromophenol Blue | Reagent | Fisher Scientific | BP115-25 | |
Cesium chloride | Reagent | Fisher Scientific | BP210-500 | |
Ethanol, reagent grade | Reagent | Sigma-Aldrich | 652261 | |
Ethidium bromide | Reagent | Sigma-Aldrich | E1510 | |
Hydrochloric acid | Reagent | Fisher Scientific | 351285212 | |
Linear polyacrylamide | Reagent | Applichem | A6587 | |
Polyethylene Glycol 6000 | Reagent | VWR | CAPX1286L-4 | |
Potassium Chloride | Reagent | Fisher Scientific | AC42409-0010 | |
Sodium Chloride | Reagent | Fisher Scientific | S2711 | |
Sodium Hydroxide pellets | Reagent | Fisher Scientific | S3181 | |
Tris base | Reagent | Fisher Scientific | BP1521 | |
Dark Reader | Equipment | Clare Chemical | DR46B | |
Microcentrifuge | Equipment | Eppendorf | 5424 000.410 | |
Nanodrop 2000 | Equipment | Fisher Scientific | 361013650 | |
Infusion pump | Equipment | Braintree Scientific | N/A | Model Number: BSP See www.braintreesci.com for ordering details. |
Tube sealer | Equipment | Beckman-Coulter | 358312 | |
Ultracentrifuge | Equipment | Beckman-Coulter | ||
Ultracentrifuge rotor | Equipment | Beckman-Coulter | 362754 | |
Ultraviolet light source | Equipment | UVP Inc. | 95-0017-09 | Any UV source will suffice |
Ultraviolet light face shield | Equipment | Fisher Scientific | 114051C | |
Butyl rubber stoppers, gray | Material | Sigma-Aldrich | 27232 | |
Centrifuge tubes | Material | Beckman-Coulter | 342412 | |
Hypodermic needle, 23 gauge, 2” length | Material | BD | 305145 | |
Microfuge tubes, 1.5 mL | Material | DiaMed | AD151-N500 | |
Open center seals, 20 mm diameter | Material | Sigma-Aldrich | 27230-U | |
Pasteur pipettes, glass | Material | Fisher Scientific | 13-678-6C | |
Pipet tips | Material | DiaMed | BPS340-1000 | Catalogue number is for 200 μl tips. 10 or 20 μl tips may be purchased from the same source |
Pump tubing 1.5 mm bore x 1.5 mm wall | Material | Appleton Woods | ||
Screw-cap tubes, 15 mL | Material | DiaMed | AD15MLP-S | |
Serum vials, 125 mL volume | Material | Sigma-Aldrich | Z114014 | |
Syringe, 60 mL | Material | BD | 309653 |