Detection of Microbes in Water

from Keya Sen in Environmental Microbiology: Current Technology and Water Applications

Molecular techniques based on genomics, proteomics and transcriptomics are rapidly growing as complete microbial genome sequences are becoming available, and advances are made in sequencing technology, analytical biochemistry, microfluidics and data analysis. While the clinical and food industries are increasingly adapting these techniques, there appear to be major challenges in detecting health-related microbes in source and treated drinking waters. This is due in part to the low density of pathogens in water, necessitating significant processing of large volume samples. From the vast panorama of available molecular techniques, some are finding a place in the water industry: Quantitative PCR, protein detection and immunological approaches, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), microarrays.

Further reading:

Nanotechnology and Water Microbiology

Nanotechnology is the engineering and art of manipulating matter at the nanoscale (1-100 nm) level. Nanotechnology offers the potential of novel nanomaterials for the treatment of surface water, groundwater and wastewater contaminated by toxic metal ions, organic and inorganic solutes and microorganisms. At the present time many nanomaterials are under active research and development.

Further reading: Nanotechnology in Water Treatment Applications