A Practical Approach to Bacterial Biodiversity

This laboratory session is designed to help students apply their knowledge of microbiology and molecular biology to identify bacteria in the environment.

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the bacterial population present in a soil sample is typically performed by identifying species using conventional bacteriological methods in successive steps: 1) isolation of the bacterial flora; 2) identification of the family and genus using conventional media and tests; 3) identification of the species using API System galleries.

Molecular biology techniques now make it possible to identify the bacteria present in a sample without the need for culture. This approach requires access to a sequencing platform and will also be carried out during lab sessions, which will allow for a comparison of the two approaches. The sequencing results obtained will enable a bioinformatics analysis of the rrsA gene encoding the 16S rRNA of the isolated bacteria.

- Practical expertise in microbiology and molecular biology

- Apply one's knowledge and develop one's ability to analyze results

- Develop critical thinking and the ability to synthesize information

- Use simple bioinformatics tools

basic knowledge of bacteriology and molecular biology