Molecular biology has revolutionized the study of microorganisms in the environment and improved our understanding of the composition, phylogeny, and physiology of microbial communities. The current molecular toolbox encompasses a range of DNA-based technologies and new methods for the study of RNA and proteins extracted from environmental samples. Currently there is a major emphasis on the application of "omics" approaches to determine the identities and functions of microbes inhabiting different environments.
The molecular tehnologies currently available for the study of the composition and diversity of microbial communities and their functions include metagenomics, metaproteomics, microarrays, and molecular fingerprinting.
Further reading:
Environmental Molecular MicrobiologyLabels: environment, environmental microbiology, environmental molecular microbiology