16S rRNA gene

The 16S rRNA gene is a specific segment of DNA found in bacteria and some archaea. It encodes a part of the ribosome, the cell’s machinery for making proteins. Because this gene changes very slowly over time, scientists can compare its sequences to identify and classify different bacteria. By analyzing the 16S rRNA gene, researchers can determine which bacteria are present in a sample, helping in fields such as microbiology, medicine, and environmental science to better understand microbial diversity and relationships.