Identification, detection, and enumeration of human Bifidobacterium species by PCR targeting the transaldolase gene

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.