16S rRNA sequencing is a powerful molecular technique used to identify and classify bacteria and archaea based on their genetic material. It targets the 16S ribosomal RNA gene, which is present in all prokaryotes and contains both conserved and variable regions. These features make the 16S gene a reliable marker for distinguishing different microorganisms while allowing broad comparisons across taxa.
Several methodologies are commonly used for 16S rRNA sequencing. The traditional Sanger sequencing approach generates read lengths of approximately 700 to 1,000 base pairs, typically covering the full-length 16S rRNA gene. It provides high-quality, accurate results and is well established, making
