Venter Institute ‘s air genome project, could lead to the discovery of previously unknown organisms and aid biosecurity.

According to Venter, siphoning off New York City air and amplifying the DNA of the fungi, bacteria and viruses it contains is the only way to uncover the mysteries of airborne microbial life, as only 1% of the microbes in the air can be identified by growing cultures in the lab.

The project may aid homeland security. Comparing an air sample taken during a suspected bioterror attack to the normal genetic “fingerprint” of the air could confirm or rule out the presence of dangerous microbes.

Venter has deployed just two clandestine filters, one from the roof of a building, the other from inside an office air circulation system. Each gathers 1400 cubic metres of air per day. After filtering off the larger particles, just the micro-organisms are left behind and their DNA will be extracted and sequenced using a “shotgun” approach.

DNA is smashed into small, random fragments, inserted into lab-grown bacteria which replicate. The DNA is then pierced back together inside a computer program.

Via New Scientist.