Pan bacteria assays, like Pan Bacteria 1 and Pan Bacteria 3, are designed to broadly detect bacteria involved in human biology. They achieve this by targeting highly conserved regions of the 16S rRNA gene.
Explanation:
The 16S rRNA gene is a component of the bacterial ribosome and is highly conserved across different bacterial species. This means that certain regions of the gene are very similar, even in distantly related bacteria. By designing assays that target these conserved regions, it becomes possible to detect a wide range of bacteria, effectively capturing a "pan" or broad representation of the bacterial community present.
Key features of pan bacteria assays:
- Broad Detection: Designed to detect a wide array of bacteria, especially those relevant to human biology.
- 16S rRNA Gene Target: Utilizes conserved regions of the 16S rRNA gene for broad-spectrum detection.
- Human Biology Focus: Optimized to identify bacteria commonly found in and affecting humans.
In essence, a "pan bacteria" assay aims to be a comprehensive tool for bacterial identification by targeting common genetic elements, enabling a broad screening of bacteria within a sample.
