Metagenomic Analysis of the Airborne Environment in Urban Spaces

Nicholas A. Be, James B. Thissen, Viacheslav Y. Fofanov, Jonathan E. Allen, Mark Rojas, George Golovko, Yuriy Fofanov, Heather Koshinsky, Crystal J. Jaing

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    81 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    The organisms in aerosol microenvironments, especially densely populated urban areas, are relevant to maintenance of public health and detection of potential epidemic or biothreat agents. To examine aerosolized microorganisms in this environment, we performed sequencing on the material from an urban aerosol surveillance program. Whole metagenome sequencing was applied to DNA extracted from air filters obtained during periods from each of the four seasons. The composition of bacteria, plants, fungi, invertebrates, and viruses demonstrated distinct temporal shifts. Bacillus thuringiensis serovar kurstaki was detected in samples known to be exposed to aerosolized spores, illustrating the potential utility of this approach for identification of intentionally introduced microbial agents. Together, these data demonstrate the temporally dependent metagenomic complexity of urban aerosols and the potential of genomic analytical techniques for biosurveillance and monitoring of threats to public health.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)346-355
    Number of pages10
    JournalMicrobial Ecology
    Volume69
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Feb 2014

    Keywords

    • Aerosol microbiology
    • Airborne bacteria
    • Metagenomics
    • Microbiome
    • Urban air

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
    • Ecology
    • Soil Science

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