Deciphering the genetic blueprint of all of the microbial species may help tell scientists which species are present and how they work together.

There can be thousands of different microbial species in a spoonful of soil.

The platform is used to count environmental gene tags to analyze the relative abundance of microbial species under varying environmental conditions.

The researchers calculated that more than 10,000 microbial species occupy the human ecosystem and they have identified 81 - 99% of the genera.

The obscure world of warfare between microbial species had suggested some promising substances, but was even less successful than chemotherapy.

For example, consider a very simple system with three microbial species.

He claims to have already discovered thousands of new microbial species and more than a million genes in seawater.

The total number of undescribed organisms is unknown, but marine microbial species alone could number 20,000,000.

The researchers say the ultraviolet exposure reduced the population of bacteria, made them less active or changed the composition of microbial species in the soil.

After nearly two weeks of intense and often acrimonious negotiations, 98 countries adopted a treaty today on preserving the world's plant, animal and microbial species.