Takehiko Kenzaka

By Takehiko Kenzaka and Katsuji Tani

Part of the book: Scanning Electron Microscopy

By Takehiko Kenzaka and Katsuji Tani

Understanding the transboundary movement of microorganisms is a significant public health issue. It is possible that large amounts of various bacteria existing on the earth’s surface are spreading across borders through migratory birds, but their identities and rates of migration have yet to be elucidated. Although modern bacteriology has advanced based on culture technology, many environmental bacteria may be in a “viable but nonculturable” state. To date, various novel culture-independent detection methods have been developed, including next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology that enables high-throughput sequencing and in-depth gene analysis independent of culture. By using NGS to comprehensively analyze the intestinal microbiota of migratory birds, research on bacterial and viral communities traveling over long distances has entered a new era, providing a new insight for the analysis of the livestock industry, agriculture, and human health risks. Here, we describe the current state and future outcomes of studying intestinal microbiota associated with migratory birds.

Part of the book: Metagenomics for Gut Microbes

By Takehiko Kenzaka

Understanding the dissemination of medically important microbiota is a significant public health necessity. Although modern bacteriology has advanced with improved culturing technology, several environmental bacteria occur in the “viable but nonculturable” state. By using next-generation sequencing (NGS) to comprehensively analyze the intestinal microbiota of migratory birds, research on microbial communities traveling over long distances has entered a new era and provides new insights that are valuable for the analysis of medical care, livestock industry, agriculture, and human health risks. The use of comprehensive analysis by NGS of not only intestinal microbiota but also diet biological communities may help elucidate the relationship between microbiological communities and the diet and succession of intestinal microbiota, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria, during migration and breeding. Here, we have described the current state and the future implications of studying intestinal microbiota associated with migratory birds.

Part of the book: Metagenomics