Behzad Hayedeh, Gojobori Takashi, Mineta Katsuhiko
Computational Bioscience Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Computational Bioscience Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Genome Biol Evol. 2015 May 6;7(5):1216-26. doi: 10.1093/gbe/evv064.
Recent metagenomic studies of environments, such as marine and soil, have significantly enhanced our understanding of the diverse microbial communities living in these habitats and their essential roles in sustaining vast ecosystems. The increase in the number of publications related to soil and marine metagenomics is in sharp contrast to those of air, yet airborne microbes are thought to have significant impacts on many aspects of our lives from their potential roles in atmospheric events such as cloud formation, precipitation, and atmospheric chemistry to their major impact on human health. In this review, we will discuss the current progress in airborne metagenomics, with a special focus on exploring the challenges and opportunities of undertaking such studies. The main challenges of conducting metagenomic studies of airborne microbes are as follows: 1) Low density of microorganisms in the air, 2) efficient retrieval of microorganisms from the air, 3) variability in airborne microbial community composition, 4) the lack of standardized protocols and methodologies, and 5) DNA sequencing and bioinformatics-related challenges. Overcoming these challenges could provide the groundwork for comprehensive analysis of airborne microbes and their potential impact on the atmosphere, global climate, and our health. Metagenomic studies offer a unique opportunity to examine viral and bacterial diversity in the air and monitor their spread locally or across the globe, including threats from pathogenic microorganisms. Airborne metagenomic studies could also lead to discoveries of novel genes and metabolic pathways relevant to meteorological and industrial applications, environmental bioremediation, and biogeochemical cycles.
最近对海洋和土壤等环境的宏基因组学研究，极大地增进了我们对生活在这些栖息地的多样微生物群落及其在维持广阔生态系统中所起关键作用的理解。与土壤和海洋宏基因组学相关的出版物数量不断增加，这与空气宏基因组学的情况形成鲜明对比，然而，空气传播的微生物被认为对我们生活的许多方面都有重大影响，从它们在诸如云形成、降水和大气化学等大气事件中的潜在作用，到对人类健康的主要影响。在这篇综述中，我们将讨论空气宏基因组学的当前进展，特别关注探索开展此类研究的挑战和机遇。对空气传播微生物进行宏基因组学研究的主要挑战如下：1）空气中微生物密度低；2）从空气中有效获取微生物；3）空气传播微生物群落组成的变异性；4）缺乏标准化的方案和方法；5）DNA测序和生物信息学相关的挑战。克服这些挑战可为全面分析空气传播微生物及其对大气、全球气候和我们健康的潜在影响奠定基础。宏基因组学研究提供了一个独特的机会来检测空气中的病毒和细菌多样性，并监测它们在本地或全球的传播，包括来自致病微生物的威胁。空气宏基因组学研究还可能带来与气象和工业应用、环境生物修复以及生物地球化学循环相关的新基因和代谢途径的发现。
