This Volume addresses the pros and cons of oligonucleotide probes, primers and primer combinations, and importantly considers how to design the best tools for the microbial taxa and/or processes being investigated. Individual chapters focus on the design of primers targeting genes that code for enzymes associated with the following functions: degradation of aromatic, aliphatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, methanogenesis, methane oxidation, and the nitrogen cycle.

Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology Protocols

There are tens of...

This Volume describes methods for simulating natural environments by using reproducible and controllable meso- and microcosm experiments to analyse hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms and to test hypotheses. It presents important aspects of the preparation of experimental set-ups, hydrocarbon application and sampling, and features protocols for experiments with different types of samples, such as biofilms, aquatic systems (e.g. groundwater, streams), and sediments, including oscillating oxic-anoxic mesocosms, as well as for in-situ experimentation in subtidal and deep sediments. Two...