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Research has been conducted on 16S rRNA-gene-targeted group-specific primers for different bacteria. The study of the specificity of these primers which are predominant in human intersinal tract and the use of the primers for identification of the colonies obtained by culture method are discussed.

Researchers describe a PCR technique based on the transaldolase gene in Bifidobacterium coupled with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis that can distinguish between species. This is possible because bifidobacteria produce 14 or more different types of transaldolase. Because they produce different electrophoretic patterns, the transaldolase genes must have variable sequences.

Researchers have discovered several species of Lactobacillus that appear to exist symbiotically in the stomach of horses. Although they created a dense layer on the epithelium as is commonly seen in mice, rats, and pigs, many of the species adhered to horse epithelial cells but not to rat epithelial cells.

Research was conducted to examine the distribution of Bifidobacteria in the human intestine using a species-specific molecular probe and polymerase chain reaction technique. Results show the preponderance of Bifidobacterium catenulatum over other species in the human fecal samples.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and phenotypic and genotypic identification was employed for proteomics identificaiton of species in the genus Lactococcus. Proteomics identification using MALDI-TOF MS was found to be a powerful and reliable method for discriminating and identifying the Lactococcus bacteria.

Sixteen S rRNA gene-targeted group-specific primers are designed and validated for specific detection and quantification of the Clostridium leptum subgroup and the Atopobium cluster. Examination of changes in the population and the composition of the intestinal flora reveal that the composition of the flora of each volunteer remained stable throughout the test period.

The four strains of Rhodococcus are isolated that specifically degrades estrogens by using enriching culture of activated sludge from wastewater treatment plants. The results suggest that Rhodococcus zopfii and R. equi strains degrade 17beta-estradiol into substances without estrogenic activity.

Research analyzes the distribution of human intestinal bifidobacteria in intestinal tracts by a combination of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with Bifidobacterium genus- and species-specific primers. Results show that the procedure can also be applied to detect Bifidobacterium in feces. Three groups, Bifidobacterium adolescentis group, B. catenulatum group, and B. longum are idetified.