Since the completion of the human genome project, DNA sequencing has become much faster and cheaper, opening up exciting possibilities for medicine and our understanding of human biology. But it goes far further than that, as is demonstrated by this video, first shown at the Biology Week launch event in Parliament held in partnership with the BBSRC.
To explore the bacterial diversity of soil, six samples were subjected to high throughput sequencing at The Genome Analysis Centre in Norwich. This new form of soil analysis, known as ‘metagenomics’, could offer great benefits for agriculture, helping us to understand how soil works, how climate and farming can affect soil systems, and how to ensure productivity and sustainability.
You can read more on the BBSRC website.