Bull A T, Goodfellow M, Slater J H
Biological Laboratory, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom.
Annu Rev Microbiol. 1992;46:219-52. doi: 10.1146/annurev.mi.46.100192.001251.
The object of this article is to draw attention to the significance of microbial diversity as a major resource for biotechnological products and processes. The topic is approached from two complementary standpoints. First, an attempt is made to assess the extent of biodiversity, particularly microbial diversity. In this context, the application of the modern techniques of molecular biology is enabling the detection of hitherto completely unknown groups of microbes and, also, is revealing the extent of genetic diversity within microbial taxa. The case is made for the establishment of sound microbial taxonomies both on the basis of satisfying fundamental scientific needs, and for designing effective isolation strategies. The impact of an ecological approach to search and discovery of novel organisms and properties also is emphasized and illustrated. Second, the question of screening a collection of appropriate microorganisms for the desired attributes is considered. The focus here is placed on modern intelligent or targeted screening, and on the power of molecular biology to extend the range of screening options. Discussions of microbial ecology or diversity only rarely touch upon questions of gene pool conservation. The point made here is that loss of biodiversity should be as ominous for microbiologists and biotechnologists as it is to conservationists. The article concludes with thoughts on some means of conserving microbial diversity.
本文旨在提请人们关注微生物多样性作为生物技术产品和工艺的主要资源的重要性。该主题从两个相辅相成的角度进行探讨。首先，尝试评估生物多样性的程度，尤其是微生物多样性。在这方面，现代分子生物学技术的应用能够检测出迄今完全未知的微生物群体，同时也揭示了微生物分类群内的遗传多样性程度。基于满足基本科学需求以及设计有效的分离策略，论证了建立完善的微生物分类学的必要性。还强调并举例说明了采用生态学方法搜索和发现新生物体及特性的影响。其次，考虑了针对所需特性筛选合适微生物集合的问题。这里重点关注现代智能或靶向筛选，以及分子生物学扩展筛选选项范围的能力。关于微生物生态学或多样性的讨论很少涉及基因库保护问题。这里要指出的是，生物多样性的丧失对微生物学家和生物技术专家而言应该与对保护主义者一样不祥。文章最后思考了一些保护微生物多样性的方法。
