Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Brief Bioinform. 2013 Sep;14(5):575-88. doi: 10.1093/bib/bbt032. Epub 2013 May 15.
There is much interest in using high-throughput DNA sequencing methodology to monitor microorganisms, complex plant and animal communities. However, there are experimental and analytical issues to consider before applying a sequencing technology, which was originally developed for genome projects, to ecological projects. Many of these issues have been highlighted by recent microbial studies. Understanding how high-throughput sequencing is best implemented is important for the interpretation of recent results and the success of future applications. Addressing complex biological questions with metagenomics requires the interaction of researchers who bring different skill sets to problem solving. Educators can help by nurturing a collaborative interdisciplinary approach to genome science, which is essential for effective problem solving. Educators are in a position to help students, teachers, the public and policy makers interpret the new knowledge that metagenomics brings. To do this, they need to understand, not only the excitement of the science but also the pitfalls and shortcomings of methodology and research designs. We review these issues and some of the research directions that are helping to move the field forward.
人们非常感兴趣的是使用高通量 DNA 测序方法来监测微生物、复杂的动植物群落。然而，在将最初为基因组项目开发的测序技术应用于生态项目之前，需要考虑一些实验和分析问题。最近的微生物研究已经强调了其中的许多问题。了解高通量测序的最佳实施方式对于解释最近的结果和未来应用的成功非常重要。通过宏基因组学解决复杂的生物学问题需要研究人员的共同努力，他们带来了不同的技能来解决问题。教育工作者可以通过培养基因组科学的协作跨学科方法来提供帮助，这对于有效的问题解决至关重要。教育工作者有能力帮助学生、教师、公众和政策制定者解释宏基因组学带来的新知识。为此，他们不仅需要了解科学的兴奋点，还需要了解方法和研究设计的缺陷和不足。我们回顾了这些问题以及一些有助于推动该领域前进的研究方向。
