Stable isotope probing links taxonomy with function in microbial communities - Microbial ecologists have a culture-independent means for analyzing sources of metabolic activities among complex mixtures of microbes

Microbial ecologists face ongoing challenges when trying to identify members of microbial communities that are directly involved in particular metabolic processes in specific natural environments. Relying on culturing techniques can bias results in favor of rapidly growing microorganisms. Stable isotope probing (SIP) is proving to be a powerful tool. It is applicable to microorganisms involved in driving natural biogeochemical processes such as the cycling of carbon and nitrogen and also to those organisms involved in degrading xenobiotics.