宏基因组学及其技术的研究进展

宏基因组学是研究生态群体基因功能和其相互作用的新科学领域,以特定生态环境中微小生物遗传物质的总和作为研究对象,基本研究策略是通过克隆、异源表达,筛选出有用的新基因及其产物。宏基因组学为生命学科和药学研究提供了一个强有力的新技术,并在包括医学在内的许多领域取得了新成就。本述评对宏基因组学的概念、技术和应用作了简要介绍。

Research progress of metagenomics and its technology

Metagenomics is a new field of science applied to study gene function and interaction ecotype communities. Metagenomic technology is based on the study of the DNA of microbial communities in their natural environments directly. Its basic strategy includes extracting total community DNA, constructing genomic library, and analyzing library with similar strategy to functional genomics. It provides a powerful tool to help us to exploit for novel biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications. Metagenomics has developed rapidly and acquired many novel accomplishments including in medicine. The concept, methodology and application of metagenomics have been briefly reviewed.