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Standardized Procedures for Use of Nucleic Acid-Based Tools
Citation:
LeBrón, C., C. Acheson, P. Dennis, X. Druar, J. Wilkinson, E. Ney, D. Major, E. Petrovskis, N. Barros, C. Yeager, F. Loeffler, K. Ritalahti, J. Hatt, E. Edwards, M. Duhamel, AND W. Chan. Standardized Procedures for Use of Nucleic Acid-Based Tools. SERDP, Arlington, VA, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
To conduct and summarize a literature review of the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods for the analysis of environmental bioremediation samples.
Description:
Groundwater and soil samples are frequently analyzed using molecular biological tools (MBTs) to detect unique genetic biomarkers associated with Dehalococcoides (Dhc) and other environmentally relevant microorganisms. The results of these analyses are increasingly used by site owners, consultants, and regulators to design and evaluate natural degradation and enhanced bioremediation systems. Despite the widespread use and importance of MBTs, there are currently no standardized methods for collecting, preserving, transporting, storing or processing groundwater samples for analysis. A systematic evaluation of the factors affecting MBT data quality will lead to recommendations for standardization of sample collection and processing, and analysis/reporting procedures. Prior to developing these procedures, a literature review of the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods for the analysis of environmental bioremediation samples was conducted and is summarized in this document. This review considered information from other disciplines utilizing qPCR such as the medical, agricultural/food, forensics, and environmental fields. Of particular interest was the evaluation of: methods that are currently available or emerging; quality assurance/quality control procedures, specifically internal and reference standards; factors that affect sensitivity of the analysis, and the variability within/between methods; and the impact of field heterogeneity on MBT results and data interpretation; and groundwater/soil sampling techniques.
URLs/Downloads:
STANDARDIZED PROCEDURES FOR USE OF NUCLEIC ACID-BASED TOOLS (LITERATURE REVIEW REPORT) (PDF, NA pp, 405 KB, about PDF)Standardized Procedures for Use of Nucleic Acid-Based Tools
