Metatranscriptomics and Metaproteomics for Microbial Communities Profiling

Abstract

Metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics are major breakthroughs of the next-generation sequencing technologies. Metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics not only provide information about the taxonomic structure of the microorganisms in soil but also provide information about their functional attributes and diversity. Gene expression under varying environmental conditions can be analysed by polymerase chain reactions and microarray. Similarly, techniques such as metatranscriptomics can be used for genome-wide gene expression analysis, providing novel insights about the ecology of the microorganism-mediated processes. In the present chapter we have highlighted the importance, benefits, challenges, process, and procedures of metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics for analysing microbial communities from diverse environments. Metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics have carried out significant revolutions in the field of microbial ecology via exploring the plant–microbe and microbe–microbe interactions.