16S rRNA Bacterial Genotyping

rRNA genes are essential for the survival of all organisms due to their role in protein synthesis. The 16S rRNA gene is 1500 bp in length and consists of 10 “well-preserved” regions and 10 “unprotected” regions.

16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis is one of the standard methods used in bacterial genotyping and taxonomy. By detecting sequence differences (polymorphisms) in highly variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene found in all bacteria, a clear distinction can be made between different strains.