Insect gut microbiome – An unexploited reserve for biotechnological application

• Published in: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine
• Main Authors: Muthukalingan Krishnan, Chinnapandi Bharathiraja, Jeyaraj Pandiarajan, Vimalanathan Arun Prasanna, Jeyaprakash Rajendhran, Paramasamy Gunasekaran
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2014
• Subjects: Microbiome; Metagenomics; Non-cultivable microbes; 16S rRNA; Gypsy moth; Termite gut; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Biology (General); QH301-705.5; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.12980/APJTB.4.2014C95; https://doaj.org/article/e5af9e5bffb44076803904b57e254bde

Metagenomics research has been developed over the past decade to elucidate the genomes of the uncultured microorganisms with an aim of understanding microbial ecology. On the other hand, it has also been provoked by the increasing biotechnological demands for novel enzymes, antibiotic and signal mimics. The gut microbiota of insects plays crucial roles in the growth, development and environmental adaptation to the host insects. Very recently, the insect microbiota and their genomes (microbiome), isolated from insects were recognized as a major genetic resources for bio-processing industry. Consequently, the exploitation of insect gut microbiome using metagenomic approaches will enable us to find novel biocatalysts and to develop innovative strategies for identifying smart molecules for biotechnological applications. In this review, we discuss the critical footstep in extraction and purification of metagenomic DNA from insect gut, construction of metagenomic libraries and screening procedure for novel gene identification. Recent innovations and potential applications in bioprocess industries are highlighted.