Marine microbial systems ecology: Microbial networks in the sea

Abstract

Next-generation sequencing of DNA has revolutionized microbial ecology. Using this technology, it became for the first time possible to analyze hundreds of samples simultaneously and in great detail. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, metagenomics and metatranscriptomics became available to determine the diversity and activity of microbial communities. Moreover, the huge amount of data that is obtained made it possible to build statistically significant networks from which ecological (or metabolic) interactions amongst microbes and between microbes and their environment could be inferred. Here I give an overview of the use of next-generation sequencing and network analysis in marine microbial ecology.