Journal
BIOLOGIA
Volume 68, Issue 6, Pages 1079-1086Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.2478/s11756-013-0246-7
Keywords
metagenomics; metagenomic library; natural products; secondary metabolites; unculturable bacteria
Categories
Funding
- Alexander von Humboldt Foundation research group linkage program [3.3 DEU7/1152594]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Mining of natural sources for new secondary metabolites has a successful history, which is reflected by the fact that over 50% of all drugs, currently on the market, are derived from natural products. Bacteria are one of the most important sources of bioactive natural products destined for drug discovery. However, less than 1% of the microorganisms observed in different habitats have been cultivated and characterized. To explore the genomic and functional diversity of the vast majority of the microbial world, novel methods were introduced, which are based on analysis of a DNA isolated from environmental communities. Metagenomics represents a strategy offering access to the genetic information present in uncultured bacteria by screening of libraries constructed from DNA isolated from different habitats. Functional- and sequence-driven screens are the major approaches employed to mine metagenomic libraries. This review aims to highlight discoveries in this area and discusses the possible future directions of the field.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available