What marker gene sequencing enabled the initial analysis of bacterial identification?
Answer
16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene
The shift toward analyzing microbial communities computationally was fundamentally enabled by the ability to cheaply sequence the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. This specific gene sequence serves as a standardized molecular marker widely utilized for the identification and profiling of bacterial populations within complex environmental or host-associated samples. While whole-genome sequencing later allowed for functional insights, the 16S rRNA gene sequencing established the initial high-throughput methodology for community composition profiling, leading directly to the development of early operational taxonomic unit (OTU) picking software.
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