AU779080B2 - Probes and primers for the detection of polyphosphate accumulating organisms in wastewater - Google Patents

Description

WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 1 PROBES AND PRIMERS FOR THE DETECTION OF POLYPHOSPHATE ACCUMULATING ORGANISMS IN WASTEWATER TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to the identification of polyphosphate accumulating organisms that are capable of biologically removing phosphorus from wastewater. In particular, the invention relates to a method for rapidly assessing the presence or numbers of such organisms in a wastewater sample, their numbers being indicative of the phosphorus-removing capacity of the wastewater microbial community.

INTRODUCTION

Domestic wastewater is typically treated by an activated sludge process designed to remove nutrients such as carbon nitrogen and phosphorus from the wastewater in order to prevent global eutrophication (Metcalf and Eddy, 1991). This process is biologically mediated, relying on microorganisms to take up such nutrients from the wastewater for incorporation into growing and dividing cells, or to volatilise the nutrients. For instance, nitrate can be reduced to dinitrogen gas and dissipated into the atmosphere (Seviour and Blackall, 1999).

Microorganisms in the activated sludge process grow as flocs-three-dimensional agglomerates about 100 pm in diameter. These flocs can be separated from the treated wastewater by gravity sedimentation, but such separation processes, however, are prone to failures costing hundreds of thousands of dollars in remedial action each year in Australia alone. There are two main reasons for these failures: 1. Solids separation problems where the biomass does not separate from the treated water.

Bulking occurs when filamentous bacteria form bridges between flocs precluding their settlement and compaction. Overgrowth of the biomass by hydrophobic filamentousbacteria which are selectively floated on the liquid surfaces also leads to lack of clear separation of the biomass into one fraction and the liquid into another. This latter problem is called foaming.

2. Loss of appropriate active microbial community. Particular populations of microorganisms within the wastewater microbial community are responsible for P or N uptake and removal.

If these populations drop below a certain number then P and N removal will drop accordingly.

The removal of P from wastewater can be achieved by chemical precipitation or by biological mechanisms in a process called enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR). The basic configuration of an EBPR activated sludge plant has the influent wastewater going into an anaerobic zone where it is mixed with the returned microbial biomass from the secondary clarifier to WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 2 form the so-called mixed liquor. This mixed liquor then flows into an aerobic zone after which the biomass is separated from the treated wastewater in the secondary clarifier. Polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) (van Loosdrecht et al., 1997) are selectively enriched in these systems and excessive phosphate accumulation occurs in the aerobic zone. Removal of a portion of the growing biomass (waste activated sludge) results in the net removal of P from the wastewater.

Empirical experience over the last 30-40 years of EBPR operation has permitted plant operators to more successfully conduct EBPR processes (Hartley Sickerdick, 1994). However, despite this experience, the study of EBPR microbiology remains important as EBPR processes do fail intermittently. By the time a wastewater treatment plant operator has detected an EBPR process failure, which is done by monitoring P levels, the change in the microbial community leading to this failure will already have been underway for a period of time and in fact the PAOs may have reached such low levels that they have no ability to compete in the microbial community. Moreover, the PAOs have not been unambiguously identified and the biochemical pathways for P removal are unknown. Researchers have constructed biochemical models that accommodate the gross chemical transformations observed in EBPR processes (Comeau et al., 1986; Wentzel et al., 1991).

There have been many investigations attempting to match the metabolic performance of bacterial isolates with the biochemical model suggested for EBPR. These have concentrated mostly on isolates of the genus Acinetobacter because members of this genus are easily isolated from EBPR sludges (Fuhs Chen, 1975; Kerdachi Healey, 1987; Wentzel et al., 1988) and some isolates show some characteristics that may be important to EBPR (Deinema et al., 1985; Streichan et al., 1990). However, evidence indicating that Acinetobacter may not be responsible for EBPR includes pure culture performances not correlating with biological models(Bond, 1997; Tandoi et al., 1998), and analyses of EBPR bacterial communities indicating that Acinetobacter are not present in high enough numbers to account for EBPR (Bond, 1997; Cloete Steyn, 1987; KAmpfer et al., 1996; Melasniemi et al., 1999; Wagner et al., 1994). Investigations of other EBPR-associated microorganisms are limited, although there has been some interest in Gram positive bacteria such as Microlunatus phosphovorus (Nakamura et al., 1995; Ubukata, 1994), the Gram negative Lampropedia (Stante et al., 1997) and the Actinobacteria and a-Proteobacteria (Kawaharasaki et al., 1999). However, there is no general consensus that these bacteria are examples of PAOs and indeed Mino et al. (1998) concluded that rather than being a single dominant PAO several different bacterial groups could be important. The isolation of putative PAOs is hampered by the lack of an easy method to use the P removal phenotype in isolation strategies.

Knowledge of the microorganisms responsible for enhancing biological phosphorus removal from wastewater is desirable for efficient management of treatment systems. It is also WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 3 desirable to be able to rapidly determine the numbers of such organisms in order to assess the phosphorus-removing capacity of a microbial community, much like an early warning system should the EBPR process begin to fail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide oligonucleotides that can be used to detect polyphosphate accumulating organisms in a sample. Further objections of the invention arc to provide methods of detecting, or quantifying the level of the foregoing organisms in a sample.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, there is provided an oligonucleotide probe for detecting a polyphosphate accumulating organism in a sample, said oligonucleotide having a sequence of at least 12 nucleotides that is unique to 16S rDNA of polyphosphate accumulating organisms.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, there is provided an oligonucleotide primer for PCR amplification of DNA of a polyphosphate accumulating organism, said primer having a sequence of at least 12 nucleotides that is unique to 16S rDNA of polyphosphate accumulating organisms.

According to a third embodiment of the invention, there is provided a primer pair for PCR amplification of 16S rDNA of a polyphosphate accumulating organism, said primer pair comprising: a first oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides having a sequence selected from one strand of said 16S rDNA; and a second oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides having a sequence selected from the other strand of said 16S rDNA downstream of said first oligonucleotide sequence; wherein at least one of said first and second oligonucleotides has a sequence that is unique to 16S rDNA of polyphosphate accumulating organisms.

According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of detecting cells ofa polyphosphate accumulating organism in a sample, said method comprising the steps of: treating cells in said sample to fix cellular contents; contacting said fixed cells from step with a labeled oligonucleotide probe under conditions which allow said probe to hybridize with 16S rRNA within said fixed cell, wherein said probe is an oligonucleotide according to the first embodiment; removing unhybridized probe from said fixed cells; and detecting said labeled probe-RNA hybrid.

According to a fifth embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of detecting a polyphosphate accumulating organism in a sample, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining nucleic acid from cells of said organism; I WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 4 contacting nucleic acid from step with a labeled or immobilised oligonucleotide probe under conditions which allow said probe to hybridize to 16S nucleic acid molecules, wherein said probe is an oligonucleotide according to the first embodiment; if necessary, separating unhybridized probe and labeled probe-nucleic acid hybrid; and detecting said labeled probe-nucleic acid hybrid.

According to a sixth embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of detecting a polyphosphate accumulating organism in a sample, said method comprising the steps of: lysing cells of the organism to release genomic DNA; contacting denatured genomic DNA from step with a primer pair according to the third embodiment; amplifying 16S rDNA of said organism by cyclically reacting said primer pair with said rDNA to produce an amplification product; and detecting said amplification product.

In other embodiments of the invention, there are provided methods of quantitating the number of polyphosphate accumulating organisms in a sample. The invention further provides a method of identifying oligonucleotide probes suitable for the detection or quantitation of polyphosphate accumulating organisms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a phylogenetic tree constructed from near complete 16S rDNA sequences derived from a variety of sludges and sequences from publically accessible databases.

Figure 2 shows fluorescence in situ hybridization micrographs of mixed liquors from sequencing batch reactors.

Figure 3 is an alignment of 16S rDNA sequences.

Figure 4 shows the relationship between sludge P content of dry mass) and cells binding all three PAO probes of Table 4 as a percentage of the EUB338-probe positive cells.

BEST MODE AND OTHER MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The following abbreviations are used hereafterbp base pair C carbon CH carbohydrates EBPR enhanced biological phosphorus removal FID GCflame ionization detector gas chromatography FISH fluorescence in situ hybridization HRT hydraulic retention time WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 N nitrogen P phosphorus PAO polyphosphate accumulating organism PCR polymerase chain reaction PHA polyhydroxyalkanoate Pns non-soluble phosphate Psol soluble orthophosphate Pt total orthophosphate rDNA ribosomal DNA RFLP restriction fragment length polymorphism rRNA ribosomal RNA SBR sequencing batch reactor SEP San Francisco Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant SRT solids retention time Tm melting temperature Td dissociation temperature TSS total suspended solids VSS volatile suspended solids The one-letter code for nucleotides in DNA conforms to the IUPAC-IUB standard described in Biochemical Journal 219, 345-373 (1984).

The term "comprise" and variants of the term such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used herein to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or stated integers but not to exclude any other integer or any other integers, unless in the context or usage an exclusive interpretation of the term is required.

The entire content of each publication or article cited hereafter is incorporated into the description by cross-reference. However, the cross-referencing of an article or publication does not mean that the article or publication constitutes common general knowledge.

The present inventors have utilized a laboratory scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) to generate sludges enriched in polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) and have prepared 16S rDNA clone libraries from these and other sludges. Evidence is provided that the characterized 16S rDNA sequences derive from PAOs belonging to the bacterial subdivison P-2 Proteobacteria, and that the 16S rRNA sequences are most closely related to Rhodocyclus spp. and Propionibacter pelophilus. The inventors have surprisingly found that there are unique sequences in the 16S rDNA of PAOs, which sequences can be used as sequences for oligonucleotide probes or primers. The WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 6 probes an be used in various hybridisation techniques for detecting PAOs and the primers for PCR amplification of DNA of such organisms.

A 16S rRNA- or rDNA-directed oligonucleotide probe or primer of the first embodiment of the invention typically has a length of about 12 to 50 nucleotides. A preferred length is 15 to nucleotides. Particularly preferred oligonucleotides of the first embodiment are as follows: 5'-CCGTCATCTACWCAGGGTATTAAC-3' 5'-CCCTCTGCCAAACTCCAG-3' 5'-GTTAGCTACGGCACTAAAAGG-3' The invention also provides probes or primers for detecting organisms closely related to PAOs. With such primers mismatches at the 5' end of the primer are permissible. A preferred primer for detecting organisms closely related to PAOs has the following sequence: 5'-AGGATTCCTGACATGTCAAGGG-3'.

Other suitable sequences can be selected from the sequence alignment presented in Figure 3.

There are a number of factors to be considered when designing primers and probes according to the invention. These factors will now be briefly discussed.

Specificity. Specificity is the first and foremost design consideration for probes and primers. It is achieved by selecting a complementary sequence to the 16S rRNA and or 16S rDNA of a target organism with no mismatches (non-canonical base pairing). Non-target organisms must have at least one mismatch to the probe or primer sequence to ensure that hybridization will not occur. The optimal position of mismatches in a hybridisation probe is in the middle of the oligonucleotide and the optimal position of mismatches in a PCR primer is at the 3' (extension) end.

All probes of the present invention were designed for specificity using the ARB software package (Strunk et al., unpublished.). The following parameters were subsequently assessed after the initial design in ARB.

Thermodynamic considerations. The hybridization of probes or primers is dependent on physical parameters, the most important of which is temperature. Therefore, thermodynamic parameters of the probe or primer such as melting temperature (Tm) or dissociation temperature (Td) (Keller, 1993) determine the conditions under which the specific hybridization of the oligonucleotides will occur.

Accessability. In the case of FISH, according to the second embodiment of the invention, accessibility of the ribosome is an important design consideration(Fuchs et 1998). Some regions of the 16S rRNA within the ribosome are less accessible than others, in the worst case scenario preventing the access of oligonucleotides to those sites leads to no detection.

SWO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 7 Secondary structure considerations. Oligonucleotides can have self complementarity resulting in either dimer formation or hairpin structures. Secondary structures of the probe are an important design parameter when used with ion-channel membrane biosensors.

A primer according to the second embodiment of the invention, like the probes of the first embodiment, typically has a length of 12 to 50 nucleotides. A preferred length is 12 to 22 nucleotides.

Oligonucleotide primer pairs according to the third embodiment of the invention comprise an oligonucleotide primer that will anneal to one strand of the target sequence and a second oligonucleotide primer that will anneal to the other, complementary, strand of the target sequence. It will be appreciated that the second oligonucleotide primer must anneal to the complementary strand downstream of the first oligonucleotide primer sequence, which occurs in the complementary strand, to yield a double stranded amplification product in the PCR. The amplification product is of a size that facilitates detection. Typically, the first and second oligonucleotide primer sites in the target DNA are separated by 50 to 1,400 bps. A preferred separation is 400 to 1,000 bps.

As indicated above, probes according to the first embodiment of the invention can be used as hybridisation probes to detect PAOs. A preferred hybridisation technique is FISH for which the specific oligonucleotides specified above are particularly suited. However, the probes can be used in any other hybridisation technique as will be discussed below.

A method utilising probes according to the invention is defined in the fourth embodiment.

The probe label can be any label suitable for in situ detection of the probe-RNA hybrid. A preferred label is a fluorescent label such as fluorescein. A detailed description of the FISH technique is given in an article by De Long et al. (1989), full details of which are given in the reference listing.

In accordance with the fifth embodiment of the invention, probes of the first embodiment can be used in more general hybridisation techniques or in specialised techniques such as an ion-channel biosensor. Specifically, nucleic acid from a PAO can be immobilised on an inert support such as a membrane. After hybridisation of the probe to the immobilised nucleic acid, the hybrid is detected by virtue of the label. A particularly convenient hybridization technique makes use of a slot blot manifold such as the quantitative method described by Stahl et al. (1988).

Probes used in general hybridisation techniques can be longer than the typical length of up to 50 nucleotides In an ion channel biosensor, a probe is attached to an ion-channel membrane biosensor.

When target 16S rDNA or rRNA binds to the probe, the ion-channel switch is triggered. The switching event results in a drop in electrical conductance and thereby indicates that target nucleic SWO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 8 acid is present. The mechanism of the biosensor is described in detail in an article by Cornell et al.

(1997).

The label of probes according to the invention can be any of the labels known to those of skill in the art. For example, the label can be a radiolabel, a reporter group or a hapten.

The method of the fifth embodiment can also be used to quantitate the number of PAO cells in a sample. With the more general hybridisation techniques, this is done by comparing the signal obtained from the probe-nucleic acid hybrid with a reference standard or a number of standards.

That is, a standard is constructed comprising a known number of cells or a known amount of PAO DNA and the signal from the standard used to give a quantitative measure of the cells or DNA in the test sample. An ion-channel biosensor is particularly suited to quantitative determination of cell numbers as the drop in electrical conductance on triggering of the switching event gives a quantitative measure.

In the sixth embodiment of the invention, PCR is used to exponentially amplify 16SrDNA sequences using oligonucleotide primers. An example of its use in detecting microorganisms is given in Burrell et al. (1998). Detection of the amplified DNA can be by any of the methods known to those of skill in the art. For example, the amplified DNA can be analysed by agarose gel electrophoresis followed by staining to identify the DNA band of the expected size. Other methods for the detection of amplification products include hybridisation, especially solution hybridisation, using a labeled, internal oligonucleotide probe complementary to a region of DNA lying between the ends of the amplified DNA. The internal oligonucleotide can be labeled using any of the labels known to those of skill in the art. For example, the label can be a radiolabel or a non-radioactive label such as biotin. Nick-translation can also be used to label internal probes.

Probes and primers according to the invention can be prepared by conventional methods.

Labeling can be done, if appropriate, during synthesis of the oligonucleotide constituting the probe or primer, or can be done post-synthesis. Methods for the labeling of primers is given in standard texts such as Sambrook et al. (1989).

Probes and primers can be provided as kits for use in the methods of the invention. A kit can include one probe or primer and appropriate reagents for carrying out the method. Advantageously, kits for PCR amplification of target DNA include at least one primer pair according to the third embodiment. In the case of a quantitative method, kits advantageously include at least one reference standard.

The methods of the invention allow quick and convenient assessment of whether a sludge or wastewater sample includes PAOs and also allow quantitation of the levels of PAO cells in samples.

WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 9 Thus, wastewater system managers can quickly diagnose any problems in the system due to PAO levels. Kits according to the invention are particularly useful in this regard.

To develop PAO specific probes and primers, sequence information is required. A panel of PAO 16S rDNA sequences and sequences of 16S rDNA from other organisms must be constructed.

From the panel, sequences unique to PAO 16S rDNA can be selected. The sequence alignment of Figure 3 constitutes a particularly suitable panel for the identification of sequences unique to PAOs The general techniques used in the various embodiments of the invention will be known to those skilled in the art. Such techniques are described, for example, in Sambrook et al. (1989).

A non-limiting example of the invention follows.

Example 1 Development of Probes for Detecting Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms In this example we described how various sludges were enriched for polyphosphate accumulating organisms, the preparation and characterisation of 16S rDNA clone libraries from these sludges, and the development of FISH probes.

1.1 Methods Generation of Sludges Enriched with Polyphosphate Accumulating Microorganisms Two sludges were generated in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (A and GRC sludges) and one was generated in San Francisco, California, USA (B sludge). The reactor and media used forthe A and the GRC sludges and the methods for their evaluation are the same as those reported by Bond et al. (1999a). Briefly, a 1.8 to 2 liter sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was operated in anaerobic/aerobic cyclic conditions for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) using a synthetic wastewater mix (Bond et al., 1999a). The SBR was fitted with pH electrodes and a portable dissolved oxygen electrode, and a 6-h operating cycle consisting of 2-h anaerobic, 3.5-h aerobic and settling, was maintained. A hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12 h wasmaintained as 900 mL or 1 liter of media was fed in the first 10 min of the anaerobic period, and 900mL or 1 liter of treated supernatant was withdrawn in the last 5 min of the settling stage. Mixed liquor was wasted during the aeration period so that the solids retention time (SRT) was 8 to 10 d.

The P0 4 -P concentration in the influent to the A sludge was increased to 57 mg P0 4 -P/liter, while that in the GRC sludge was 28 mg/liter. The effluent P0 4 -P concentration inthe A sludge was always at or below the detection limit (0.05 mg P04-P/liter). At this point, the P% of the mixed A culture was 15.1%. The performance of the GRC reactor fluctuated over a 12 month period and at regular stable operating times, the sludge was analysed by FISH and the P% determined. Images presented in Figure 1 from the GRC sludge were when the reactor effluent was 6.7 mg P0 4 -P/liter and the sludge contained 6.7% P.

I WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 Reactor B was also operated as an SBR with a working volume of 1 liter, a temperature of 23.50C 20, and the pH was controlled in the range 7.15-7.25 by the addition of either a 1%HCI or a 40 g/liter Na 2

CO

3 solution. The 6-h cycle consisted of 1.83-h anaerobic, 3-h aerobic, settle, and 0.67-h comprising draw, fill, and strip with nitrogen gas. An HRT of 12 h was maintained by withdrawing 500 mL of the reactor contents during each settle phase and replacing it with500 mL fresh nutrient feed. Timed operation of feed and effluent pumps, air and nitrogen flow, and mixing was by a programmable controller (Model CD-4, Chrontrol Corp., San Diego, CA). The SRT was maintained at 4 d (25% of the biomass wasted/d) by once per day manually withdrawing a portion of the mixed reactor contents immediately prior to the settle phase during the same cycle. The sludge in the reactor had a P%/o of 17.2%.

Anaerobic conditions were maintained by continuous bubbling with N 2 gas through a porous diffuser. N2-stripping of oxygen began approximately 30 min before the addition of feed. Aerobic conditions were maintained by bubbling ambient air through a porous diffuser. Air and N 2 flow rates were approximately 500 mL/min. Anaerobic and aerobic conditions were verified by continuous measurements using an in-reactor oxygen electrode (M1016-0770, New Brunswick Scientific, Edison, NJ), a dissolved oxygen meter (Model DO-40, New Brunswick Scientific) and a strip chart recorder (Model 288, Rustrak Corporation, Manchester, NH).

Nutrient and carbon feeds were added separately. The nutrient feed consisted of (per liter) 259 mg NaH2PO4*2II20 (50 mg P/liter), 117 mg KC1, 119 mg NH 4 CI, 219 mg MgCl2-6H20, 14.4 mg MgSO4-7H20, 45.9 mg CaCI2, 8.3 mg yeast extract, 0.24 mL 10% HCI, 0.20 mL trace element solution, and 0.15 mL FeSO 4 solution. The trace element solution consisted of (per liter) 300 mg

H

3 B0 3 1 500 mg ZnSO 4 .7H20, 75 mg KI, 300 mg CuSO 4 *5H 2 0, 367 mg Co(N0 3 2 *6H20, 150 mg Na 2 MoO 4 *2H 2 0, and 1,679 mg MnSO 4

HII

2 0. The FeSO4 solution was 2,054 mg/liter FeSO 4 .7H 2 0. The carbon feed was added as a concentrated stock (10 mL per cycle). The carbon feed consisted of 425 mg CH 3 COONa*3H20 and 30 mg casamino acids per liter of nutrient feed.

The reactor was seeded with mixed liquor from the City of San Francisco Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant (SEP) which is a pure-oxygen activated sludge plant with six basins in series, the first of which functions as an anaerobic selector. High soluble P concentrations in the anaerobic selector were an indication of the presence of EBPR organisms in the SEP.

Reactor analyses. Performance of all three reactors GRC, and B) was superficially assessed by determination of the supernatant P and acetate concentrations at the end of the anaerobic and aerobic periods, by the effluent P concentration, and by the sludge P and acetate concentrations were also determined in each batch of feed prepared. At weekly or biweekly intervals during the operation of the reactors, cycle studies were conducted. Samples were collected from the WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 11 reactor at 0.5-h intervals during one discrete cycle for determining supernatant acetate and P concentrations, and cellular carbohydrate and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) content. For the A and GRC reactors, methods for analysis were as reported by Bond et al. (1999a) but procedures employed in the B reactor are reported below.

Chemical Analyses Phosphate. Soluble orthophosphate (Psol) was on GF/B-filtered (P/N 1821025, Whatman International, Ltd., Maidstone, UK) or 0.45 pa. membrane filtered (P/N 60172, Gelman Sciences, East Hills, NY) samples by the vanado-molybdate colorimetric method (Method 4500-P C; APHA et al., 1992). Total orthophosphate (Pt) was by the persulfate digestion method (Method 4500-P APHA et al., 1992). Non-soluble phosphate (Pns) was calculated as (Pt Psol) for samples taken at the end of the aerobic phase.

Acetate. Acetate was analyzed on filtered (GF/B or 0.45 pm membrane filters) acidified samples by flame ionization detector gas chromatography (FID GC), using a J&W Scientific DB- FFAP 0.53 mm capillary column. Samples were acidified with concentrated H 3

PO

4 and stored at 4 0 C prior to analysis when 2 pL samples were injected. The carrier gas was N 2 with a flow rate of mL/min; H2 flow rate was 20 mL/min and the air flow rate was 250 mlJmin to the FID. Oven temperature began at 90 0 C ramped to 110OC at 500 C/min, remained at 110 0 C for 30 s, and then ramped to 1300C at 50 0 C/min. Injector temperature was 2500C; the FID was unheated.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates. PHAs were determined by a modification of the GC method of Riis and Mai (1988) as follows: 10 mL samples were collected on 25 mm Whatman GF/B filters and immediately dried at 100 0 C for 1 h then stored in a desiccator at 40C prior to analysis; 1 mL of 4:1 l-propanol:HCI and 1 mL of trichloroethene were added to each sample in 10 mL sample vials, which were then capped and heated to 95-1000C for 3-4 h. Samples were cooled and then extracted with 2 mL deionized water. PHAs in the lower phase were measured by injection of 2 plL into an FID GC (glass packed column, 10% AT-1000 resin on Chromosorb W-AW 80-100 mesh, Varian model 3700 GC). Samples of 2 pL volume were analyzed using the following temperatures: oven, 2500C; injection port, 250C; FID, 2200C. Benzoic acid was used as an internal standard.

Carbohydrates Total CH was by the anthrone method described in Jenkins et al.

(1993) with the following modifications. Samples were diluted to 1 mL in 15 mL test tubes and frozen until analysis. Dilution water was pre-frozen in the test tubes to rapidly stop metabolic activity. Soluble CH was measured on Whatman GF/B-filtered samples. Duplicate glucose standard samples were analyzed with each batch of samples.

Total suspended solids (TSS) and volatile suspended solids (VSS). TSS and VSS were by Standard Methods 2540B and 2540E, respectively (APHA et al., 1992).

WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 12 Microbiological Analyses Microscopy of Mixed Cultures. Mixed cultures (sludges) from the A, GRC and B reactors and from other reactors were collected, fixed and probed as reported by Bond et al. (1999a).

Counting of the probed A sludge was done manually and occasionally, this mixed microbial culture required light sonication (Bond et al., 1999) to facilitate the process. Counts of a, P (including -1l and and y-Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Cytophaga-Flavobacterium were determined as proportions of all Bacteria (according to probe EUB338; Bond et al., 1999a-sec below for details of probes) for the A sludge. Methylene Blue and Gram stains (Bond et al., 1999a) were also done on the A and GRC sludges and on other selected sludges. For the B sludge, Neisser staining was as described in Eikelboom and van Buijsen (1981), Gram staining was by the Modified Hucker Method and India Ink staining were from Jenkins et al. (1993), and PHB staining was as described in Murray (1981). Light micrographs of Gram and Methylene Blue stains were captured on a Nikon Microphot FXA microscope via a charged couple device connected to a PC. Images were prepared in Adobe Photoshop. FISH probed samples were viewed on both a Zeiss LSM5 10 and on a Zeiss Axiophot.

The Zeiss LSM 510 confocal laser scanning microscope employed an Axiovert 100M SP inverted optical research microscope, and a Plan-Neofluar 63x/ 1.25 numerical aperture objective. Scan time was 31.8 s per frame and 4.48 pis pixel dwell time. An Argon laser 488 nm line and the HeNe 543 nm line was used for imaging. Frame size was 512x512 pixels. Images presented in Figure 1 were taken with the LSM510 and prepared in Adobe Photoshop.

Clone libraries. Bacterial 16S rDNA clone libraries were prepared from genomic DNA extracted from frozen A, P (Bond et al., 1999) and B sludges and inserts from individual clones were amplified and grouped according to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using methods previously described (Burrell et al., 1998). Clones of RFLP-group representatives were partially sequenced using primer 530f and phylogenetically analysed (Bond et al., 1995; Burrell et al., 1998). A selection of clone inserts was fully sequenced with a range of primers(Blackall, 1994).

Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA sequences was performed as described previously (Dojka et al., 1998). Briefly, sequences were compiled using the software package SeqEd (Applied Biosystems, Australia). Each of the compiled sequences was compared to available databases using the basic local alignment search tool (BLAST; Altschul et al., 1990) to determine approximate phylogenetic affiliations. All clone sequences were examined with the CHECK_CHIMERA program (Maidak et al., 1999) to identify any chimeric sequences. The compiled sequences were aligned using the ARB software package (Strunk, et al., unpublished) and alignments were refined manually.

Phylogenetic trees were constructed by carrying out evolutionary distance analyses on the 16S rDNA alignments, using the appropriate tool in the ARB database. The robustness of the tree topology was WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 13 tested by bootstrap analysis, using neighbour-joining with the Kimura 2-parameter, and parsimony analysis (version 4.0b2a ofPAUP*; Swofford, 1999).

Probe Design, Synthesis and Use PAO-specific probes were designed using the probe design tool in the ARB software package (Strunk et al., unpublished). Based on comparative analysis of all sequences in the database, the program selected specific regions within the putative-PAO sequences which allowed their discrimination from all other reference sequences. Sequences were subsequently confirmed for specificity using BLAST (Altschul et al., 1990). The designed oligonucleotides were synthesised and labelled at the 5'-end with the indocarbocyanine dye CY3 by Genset (France). These fluorescentlylabelled probes were evaluated with paraformaldehyde fixed A sludge. The formamide concentration for optimum probe stringency was determined by performing a series of FISH experiments at formamide increments starting at 0% formamide. Under all but the lowest stringency conditions, the morphologically distinct clusters of Methylene Blue positive coccobacilli were the only cells which bound the PAO-probes. Therefore, the optimum formamide concentrations were determined by reference to the coccobacillus clusters. This was necessary because there are no pure cultures whose 16S rRNA would bind the PAO-probes. A similar approach was employed by Erhart et al. (1997).

Generally all three designed PAO-probes, PA0462, PA0651 and PA0846 (see below), were applied to any one individual sample spotted on the slide.

Use of designed probes with other sludges. A range of sludges from laboratory scale processes and full-scale EBPR plants was collected, fixed and probed with the newly designed probes PA0462, PA0651 and PA0846 after determining the formamide concentration for optimum probe stringency.

Slot Blot Hybridisation Labeling of Probes. Oligonucleotide probes were labeled with digoxigenin-ddUTP, using the Digoxigenin (DIG) oligonucleotide 3'-end labeling kit, according to the manufacturer's instructions (Boehringer Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany). A standard 20 pl labeling reaction involved the addition of 100 pmole of unlabeled oligonucleotide to 4 pl 25mM CoCI2 50 U terminal transferase, 1 pC of 1 mM digoxigenin-11-ddUTP, and sterile distilled water (to a final volume of 20 pl). The labeling reaction was incubated for 15 min at 37 0 C and then terminated by the addition of 1 pl of 20 mg/ml glycogen solution and 1 pl of 200 mM EDTA. The labeled oligonucleotide was precipitated by the addition of 0.1 volume 3 M sodium acetate and 3 volumes 100% ethanol followed by incubation at -70C for 30 min. Following centrifugation at 12,000 g for min, the ethanol was removed and the pellet was washed with 50 pl of cold 70% ethanol. After brief centrifugation, the 70% ethanol was removed and the pellet was dried under vacuum. Finally, IWO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 14 the labeled probe was resuspended in 20 pl of steril milliQ water. The yield of each labeling reaction was then estimated by spotting dilutions of the labelled control DNA (supplied by manufacturer) and the newly labelled probe onto a nylon membrane. Following chemiluminescent detection the yield of labelled probe could be estimated by comparison with the control.

Application of RNA to Membrane. All RNA samples were denatured by heating at 96 0

C

for 10 min. The denatured RNA samples were slotted in a 50 pl volume onto a moistened positively charged nylon membrane (Boehringer Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany) using a PR648 slot blot apparatus (Hoefer Scientific Instruments, San Francisco, USA) under slight vacuum. The RNA samples were then immobilised on the nylon membrane by ultra violet irradiation for 5 min or baking at 80°C for 1 hr. For quantitative hybridisations, a 10 ng to 40 ng serial dilution of each denatured RNA target (including standard RNAs) was immobilised.

Hybridisations and Washes. The membranes were prehybridised for 2 hr at 40 0 C in 5 ml of hybridisation buffer (DIG Easy Hyb; 5x SSC, 0.1% N-laurylsarcosine, 0.02% SDS and 1% blocking solution). Hybridisations were performed with 2-5 pl (0.1 pl of probe per slot; excess) of probe in 5 ml of hybridisation buffer at 40 0 C for 12-16 hr. All hybridisation steps were carried out in a Hybaid Mini 10 hybridisation oven (Hybaid, United Kingdom). The membranes were then washed twice for 15 min at the same temperature (40 0 C) in wash buffer containing lx SSC (150 mM NaCI, 15 mM sodium citrate, adjusted to pH 7) and 1% SDS, followed by a 10 min wash at the determined Td value for each probe.

Chemiluminescent Detection. Following hybridisation and stringency washing, membranes were rinsed for 5 min in a wash buffer containing 0.1 M maleic acid, 0.15 M NaCl and 0.3% Tween 20, adjusted to pH 7.5 with NaOH. To eliminate high background, membranes were blocked for 30 min in 25 ml of blocking solution which consisted of a maleic acid buffer (0.1 M maleic acid, 0.15M NaCI, adjusted to pH 7.5) containing 1% Diploma skim milk powder. Following blocking, the membrane was incubated at room temperature for 30-60 min with 2 pl of anti-DIGalkaline phosphatase solution (Boehringer Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany) in 20 ml of blocking solution. Membranes were washed twice for 15 min at room temperature in 25 ml of the wash buffer as described above and then equilibrated in 25 ml of detection buffer (0.1 MTris-HCI, 0.1 M NaCI, pH 9.5) for 5 min. The chemiluminescent substrate, CSPD (Disodium 3-(4-methoxyspiro{l,2dioxetane-3,2'-(5'-chloro)tricyclo[3.3.1.1 3 ']decan}-4-yl) phenylphosphate) (Boehringer Mannheim, Mannheim, Germay) was diluted 1/100 in detection buffer and each membrane was sealed in a hybridisation bag containing 1-2 ml of CSPD solution, and incubated at 37 0 C for 5 min. The membrane was briefly removed from the hybridisation bag and blotted ontoWhatman 3MM paper to remove excess CSPD solution and incubated for a further 15 min at 37 0 C (after resealing into the WO 01146459 PCT/AU00/01611 hybridisation bag) to enhance the luminescent reaction. Membranes were then visualized using the Lumilmager (Boehringer Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany) and the level of chemiluminescent signal from each of the slots was quantified using the LumiAnalyst software.

Quantitative Hybridisation Analysis. A slope value for each RNA serial dilution was generated by plotting chemiluminescent signal (BLU=Beohringer Light Units) versus ng RNA.

Slope date was used to calculate the percentage of PAOs (%PAO) provided the slope had a regression coefficient greater than 0.85. The equation used to calculate %PAO in each sludge RNA sample was as follows: xl00 where 0x is the specific hybridisation percentage (the percentage of the RNA sample hydridising to probe P is the slope of the hybridisation of probe to sample RNA, P' is the slope of the hybridisation of the probe to a pure, known control RNA (RNA transcript from a PAO clone), x is the specific probe, and c is the universal bacterial probe EUB338.

1.2 Results A, GRC and B sludge operation Reactor operating data are presented in Table 1. For the A and B sludges, some comparative data are also presented in Table 2. The comparative data are from a number of literature sources as indicated in the first column of the table.

Table 1 Operating data for the A, B, and GRC laboratory-scale EBPR reactors Feed End of Anaerobic Effluent Sludge P0 4 -P Acetate COD:P MLSSa P0 4 -P Acetate PO4-P Acetate P% in (mg/liter) (mg/liter) (mg/liter) (mg/liter) (mg/liter) (mg/liter) (mg/liter) Sludgeb A 57 309 9 3,692 144 undetected <0.05 undetected 15.1 B 53 425 4.3 1,160 110 undetected 28 undetected 17.2 GCR 28 389 18 3,070 77 undetected 6.7 undetected 6.7 aMLSS mixed liquor suspended solids bp%=(PT-Pe/MLSS) x 100 (PT=total sludge phosphate in mg/liter; Pe=phosphate in the effluent in mg/liter; MLSS inmg/liter) Table 2 Stoichiometry of the transformations important in Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal Sludge origin Sludge P content Anaerobic Transformations (molar ratios) of dry mass) Phosphate Acetate uptake Intracellular carbohydrate Intracellular PHAI) released consumeda units produced B sludge (this study) 17.2 8.1 6 0.8 nac A sludge (this study) 15.1 8.1 6 0.4 3.3 Lab scale continuous process 14.4-15.6 6.4-11.0 6 na na (Wentzel et ali. ali., 1998) S sludge (Bond et a. 1999b) 12.3 8.4 6 0.6 2.4 Lab sludge (Liu el 1997) 12.1 8.0 6 0.8 Lab sludge (Liu et ali., 1997) 9.1 6.5 6 0.7 3.4 EBPR model (Arun et al., 1 988 )d 3 6 1 4 EBPR model (Smolders et al., 1 9 94 )d 6 6 1 4 P sludge (Bondet 1999a) 8.8 5.6 6 1.2 3.9 Sludge (Satoh et al., 1992) 6.3 5.2 6 1.2 3.9 Lab sludge (Liu et ali., 1997) 6.0 5.4 6 1.4 4.2 T sludge (Bond et 1999b) 2.0 0.3 6 2.6 4.4 Q Sludge (Bond et ali., 1999a) 1.8 0.3 6 2.6 4.4 Lab SBR (Cech Hartman, 1993) 1.8 0 6 na na Lab sudge (Liu elal., 1997) 1.5 0.3 6 2.5 Non-EBPR Model (Satoh et ali., 1 994 )d 0.0 6 2.5 aMolar units are calculated as moles of glucose monomers.

bPHA poly-p-hydroxyalkanoates.

na= not available dBolded data are from theoretical ratios for EBPR models from Arun et a. (1988) and Smolders et a. (1994), and from Satoh et a.

(1994 for non-EBPR model.

WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 18 The laboratory scale systems were good models of EBPR processes. Table 1 shows that all three SBRs were performing EBPR since there was P release and acetate uptake by the biomass during the initial anaerobic stage. This can be appreciated by comparing P0 4 -P and acetate data in the feed and at the end of the anaerobic stage (Table During the subsequent aerobic period, all sludges took up excessive amounts of P, as seen by comparing the P0 4 -P values at the end of the anaerobic stage with those from the effluent. A and B sludges were hyper-P removing with the sludges containing >15% P0 4 -P which equates to ca. 50% inorganic polyphosphate. The GRC sludge was a good P removing sludge being able to remove >20 mg/L of P0 4 -P from the wastewater (compare 28 mg PO 4 -P/L in the influent with 6.7 mg/L in the effluent) and contained 6.7%P (Table 1).

The results presented herein show that the A and B sludges were able to remove more P than most previously reported sludges and contained among the highest P% of any prior art sludges (see Table Only the sludge ofWentzel et al. (1988) compares with these two sludges and where the stoichiometric comparisons are available for all these sludges, the data are remarkably similar (Table 2).

Clone libraries A total of 281 bacterial 16S rDNA clones from the A sludge, 89 from the P sludge and 250 from the B sludge were evaluated by RFLP. These sludges were chosen to generate 16S rDNA sequences because they were high performance EBPR systems (Table 1) and therefore a good source of PAO sequences from which specific FISH probes could be designed. Group representatives were partially sequenced and the overall results are presented in Table 3.

Table 3 Proportions of the different major bacterial divisions in the A, P, and B clone libraries as determined by RFLP and sequencing of RFLP-group representatives Bacterial Division or Subdivision Clone Library A Clone Library P Clone Library B a Proteobacteria 38 5 32 (13%) P Proteobacteria (mostly Rhodocyclus 13(5%) 15(17%) 44(18%) relatives) Actinobacteria (mostly Terrabacter 67 8 22 relatives) Cytophaga-Flavobacterium group 83 45 52(21%) Total clones in the library analysed by 281 89 250

RFLP

I WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 19 Probe development Group probing experiments were conducted using a number of known FISH probes. Details of these probes are included in Table 4. Table 5 includes the group probing results fromthe A sludge and a number of other sludges of various P-removal capacities. P Proteobacteria, specifically P-2 proteobacteria, dominated the A sludge community strongly suggesting the PAOs are members of this bacterial subdivision. In all cases, quantification of group probings of the GRC sludge was not performed but Figure 2C (see below) shows the result from its methylene blue staining. EBPR sludges microscopically examined included those from the Loganholme Sewage Treatment Plant (full scale) and many laboratory scale reactors operated by researchers at the Advanced Wastewater Management Centre P, GRC, Saline EBPR and denitrifying EBPR sludges; see Table 2 for the sources of these sludges). In all these EBPR sludges, the clusters of PAO-probe binding cells were distinct and uniform and resembled cells discussed below in connection with Figures 2A and 2C.

Table 4 Information relevant to FISH probes used in this study Probe Sequence rRNA target Specificity Percent Reference sitea formamide EUB338 GCTGCCTCCCGTAGGAGT 16S, 338-355 Bacteria 20 (Amann et al., 1990) ALFIb CGTTCG(C/T)TCTGAGCCAG 16S, 19-35 a Proleobacteria 20 (Manz ef 1992) BET42a GCCTrCCCAC1TTCGTTT 23S, 1027-1043 f3Proleobacteria 35 (Manz et 1992) BONE23a GAA'ITCCATCCCCCTCT 16S, 663-679 1. Proteobacteria 35 (Amann et al., 1996) BTWO23a GAATTCCACCCCCCTCT 16S, 663-679 competitor for BON"E23a 35 (Amann et al., 1996) GAMv42a GCCTrCCCACATCGMT 23S, 1027-1043 -y Proteobacteria 35 (Manz et 1992) HGC69a TATAG'ITACCACCGCCGT 23S, 1901-1918 Aclinobacteria 25 (Roller et al., 1994) CF319 TGGTCCGTGTCTCAGTAC 16S, 319-336 Cytophaga-Flavobacteriun 35 (Manz et 1992) PA0462 CCGTCATCTAC(AJIT)CAGGGTATTAAC 16S, 462-485 PAO cluster (see Fig. 1) 35 This study PA0651 CCCTCTGCCAAACTCCAG 16S, 65 1-668 PAO cluster (see Fig. 1) 35 This study PA0846 G'ITAGCTACGGCACTAAAAGG 165, 846-866 PAO cluster (see Fig. 1) 35 This study Rc988 AGGA1?TCCTGACATGTCAAGGG 16S, 988-1009 "Rhodocyclus group" (see Fig. 1) ndb This study 'rRNA Escherichia coli numbering (Brosius et al., 198 1).

bnd =not determined Table Bacterial community analysis of EBPR sludges from laboratory scale SBRs Group according to FISH Q sludge T sludge' P sludgeab S sldg A sludge probing (12.3%P) (I15.1I%P) OL Proteobacteria <1 42 4-10 9 12 fProleobacteria 58 13 42-45 56 0- 1 Proteobacieria <1 fld' 2 nd1 J3-2 Proteobacteria <1 nd 55 nd 81 yProteobacteria <1 16 ca. 1 2 1 Actinobacteria 1 40 35-43 35 28 Cytophaga-Flavobacterium Nd 6 12 9 14 Bond et al. (Bond et 1 999a) bBond et al. (Bond et al., 1999b) this study d nd not determined WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 22 As noted above, the group probing broadly highlighted the PAOs as 2 Proteobacteria (see Table However, the 2 Proteobacteria probe (BTWO23a) was originally designed only as a competitor for the p-1 Proteobacteria probe (BONE23a; Amann et al., 1996). Its specificity is broad since it targets (with no mismatches) members of the p-3 Proteobacteria, some y Proteobacteria and a Green-non-sulfur division clone, OPB9, in addition to -2 Proteobacteria.

Therefore, additional more-specific probes were required to target the 2 Proteobacteria group. To this end, all clones from the A, P and B sludge libraries belonging to the 3-2 Proteobacteria were fully sequenced in preparation for probe design. In addition, partially sequenced clones belonging to the -2 Proteobacteria from two previously reported EBPR and non-EBPR clone libraries (Bond et al., 1995) and sludge clone SBRH147 from an unpublished library were fully sequenced.

It is to be noted that the relative proportions of phylogenetic groups in the A sludge clone library (see Table 3) did not match those determined by FISH probing (see Table The inventors recognise that clone libraries may not provide quantitative data on the microbial community structure of the sample analysed. Indeed, this highlights the need for specific probes for PAOs.

Figure 1 shows a phylogenetic tree of the near complete sequenced -2 Proteobacteria clones from which the PAO probes were designed, and the specificity of the probes. The 16S rDNA sequences were determined from sludges A, B, P, SBRH, SBRI, SBR2 and GC (Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia). The other sequences were obtained from publically accessible databases.

Rubrivivax gelatinosus (D16213) was used as the outgroup in analyses but is not shown in the tree.

Evolutionary distance and parsimonious analyses were carried out in PAUP* employing 2000 bootstrap resamplings. Closed circles at nodes indicate >75% bootstrap support from both analyses; open circles, 50-75% from both analyses; and half shaded circles are for analyses where one algorithm gave >75% bootstrap support and the other 50-75%. The coding indicates the clone came from a hyper-P removing sludge (ca. 15%P in the sludge); a good P removing sludge; a fair P removing sludge; and a non-P removing sludge. The specificity of the published 3-2 Proteobacteria probe (BTWO23a) and those of probes designed in this work (PAO-probes and Rc988) is shown by solid lines. Dashed lines against sequences indicate that the probe does not have 100% identity with that sequence. For example, Rc988 has one mismatch (at position 1009) with SBRP112 sequence. In addition to specifically targeting the sequences indicated in the tree, the probe BTWO23a also targets (with no mismatches) members of the 0-3 Proteobacteria, y Proteobacteria; lodobacter spp., Chromobacterium spp., Chromatium spp. and a Green-non-sulfur division clone, OPB9. The scale indicates 0.02 nucleotide changes per nucleotide position.

Two main clusters of EBPR sludge clones were observed (SBRA220 cluster and GC4 cluster, Figure However, only the SBRA220 cluster was comprised exclusively of clones from WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 23 high performance EBPR sludges. This became the focus group for probe design. Three PAO-probes were designed to specifically target the SBRA220 cluster and an additional probe of broader specificity called Rc988 (Table 5) was designed. All PAO-probes are listed in Table 4 with their empirically determined optimum stringencies.

Near complete 16S rDNA sequences for the hyper-P removing sludge clones SBRA220, SBRA245A, SBRB34 and SBRP112 and other sequences are presented as an alignment in Figure 3. The reverse complement of the PAO probes and the Rc988 probe derived from these sequences are highlighted in the figure.

Use of Designed Probes A series of fixed sludges including the A sludge, the GRC sludge at different operational periods, and the Loganholme sludge were evaluated with the designed PAO-probes of Table 4.

Figures 2A and 2B show confocal laser scanning micrographs of sludges dual probed with EUB338 ng, fluorescein-labelled) and a mixture of all three PAO probes (Table 4, each 25 ng, CY3 labeled). Images were collected for fluorescein and CY3 channels, artificially coloured and superimposed. Arrowed cells are the PAOs since they are dual labelled with EUB338 (grey-coloured cells) and PAO probes (bright coloured cells that appear white in the image). Figure 2A shows a mixed liquor from SBR A with operating data as given in Table 1. Figure 2B shows lightly sonicated mixed liquor from an EBPR SBR (ca. 10%P in the sludge) operating at 3.5% NaCl in a study of seafood processing wastewater.

Figure 2C is a bright field micrograph of GRC sludge as operated according to data in Table 1. In Figure 2C, cells were methylene blue stained which stains for polyphosphate. The arrowed cells in Figure 2C are those with polyphosphate and their cellular size, morphology and arrangement match the bright cells in Figure 2A. The cells indicated in Figure 2C with an arrow having a diamond shaped tail do not contain polyphosphate. The length of the bar in Figure 2C is 6 lm.

The micrographs shown in Figures 2D and 2E are of a single cluster of cells from the SBR A sludge that was first probed with the labelled PAO probes (Figures 2D) and then stained with methylene blue (Figure 2E). The arrowed cells in Figure 2D are the "bright cells" and were found to correspond to the cells stained with methylene blue in Figure 2E which are again arrowed. Although difficult to determine from the montone reproduction of the micrographs, cells that did not bind the PAO probes were considerably darker and did not stain with the methylene blue. These cells are again indicated with an arrow having a diamond shaped tail. The bar in Figure 2D represents 4 pm.

The Figures 2D and 2E results clearly show that the PAO probes are specific for polyphosphate accumulating organisms.

WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 24 Figure 2 shows that in all of the sludges, characteristic clusters of coccobacilli bound the PAO-probes and depending upon EBPR performance, greater or fewer clusters were present. For example, in the Loganholme sludge, a full-scale activated sludge plant treating domestic wastewater with an influent containing ca. 10 mg PO 4 -P/liter, moderate numbers of clusters were observed.

Large numbers of the clusters were observed in the hyper-P-removing systems like the A sludge (Figure 2A). Light sonication of a laboratory-scale saline EBPR sludge was required for cell counting and this explains why the PAO-probe binding cells in Figure 2B are not arranged in typical clusters. Nevertheless, in the saline sludge as in all sludges, the three PAO-probes bound the same cells as bound the -2 Proteobacteria probe.

Experiments were also conducted to assess whether there is a correlation between the proportion of PAO-probe binding cells in a sludge sample and the sludge The experiments comprised a FISH analysis conducted essentially as described above and a slot blot analysis. All three PAO probes were used in the FISH analysis while PAO-651 was used for slot blot hybridisation (see Table The EUB338 probe was used as a measure of the total number of bacterial cells in the particular sample.

For the slot blot analysis, RNA transcripts were generated from several 16S rDNA clones one of which was SBRA220 (see above), for use as standards. The 16S rDNA inserts in an M13 vector were PCR-amplified using vector primers flanking the insert or the universal bacterial primer, 1492R. Purified PCR products were used as templates for in vitro transciption using either T7 or SP6 RNA polymerase as appropriate. Purified RNA transcripts were estimated to have a size of approximately 1,500 bp, equivalent to 16S rRNA extracted from E. coli. The concentration of RNA in transcript preparations was 320-660 ng/pl.

As test samples, total RNA was extracted from activated sludge samples by lysis of cells, homogenation in the presence of highly denaturing guanidinuim isothiocyanate-containing buffer, and application of ethanolic homogenate to an RNeasy mini spin column. The concentration of RNA extracted from each of the samples was determined using the GeneQuant RNA/DNA calculator and was found to range from 50 ng/pl to 400 ng/pl.

Slot blot hybridisation was conducted as described above in section 1.1. RNA extracts were obtained from experimental reactor sludges (see above) and full-scale activated sludge samples collected from seven wastewater treatment facilities within south-east Queensland, Australia.

The FISH analysis was conducted on the GRC sludge at varying but stable P-removal efficiencies, the A sludge (see above), and the Q, P and S sludges of Bond et al. (Bond et al., 1999a; Bond et al., 1999b; Bond et al., 1998). The results of the FISH and slot blot analyses are presented in Figure 4A and Figure 4B, respectively. Large black triangles indicate results obtained using both WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 methods while the grey triangles represent slot blot hybridisation results for the full-scale sludges.

The small triangles in Figure 4A are results for which there are no corresponding slot blot data.

Figure 4 shows that there is a definite positive correlation between the proportion of PAO probe-binding cells and the sludge The FISH analysis gave a regression value of 0.937 while an even high value of 0.979 was obtained with slot blot hybridisation. The FISH and slot blot evaluations were nevertheless comparable. The slot blot analysis also demonstrated that such a hybridisation technique can be used to accurately determine the proportion of PAOs in environmental RNA samples.

1.3 Utility of the PAO-specific Probes The PAO-probes, designed from a group of highly related clone sequences (greater than or equal to 98% identical) affiliated with the 0-2 Proteobacteria, bound the same cell clusters in the A sludge, as bound the probe for 0-2 Proteobacteria. The closest pure-cultured bacterial relatives to the 2 Proteobacteria clone sequences (Figure 1) are from Rhodocyclus tenuis and R.

purpureus) and Propionibacter pelophilus. A clone sequence from an as-yet-unpublished Swiss EBPR sludge (R6; Hesselmann et al., 1998) was in the group containing the full clone inserts from the A, P and B sludges (Figure Nearly 80% of the microbial biomass in the hyper-P-removing A sludge, bound the P Proteobacteria probe (BET42a) and all of these were P-Proteobacteria (Table and PAO-probe positive. Thus, by using this concerted probing approach (see Figure it was demonstrated that the designed probes were highly specific for the dominant -2 Proteobacteria in the A sludge. In addition, the PAO-probe positive cells matched the morphology, size and arrangement of those staining positive for polyphosphate by the methylene blue stain (Figure 2).

When used with other sludges, the PAO-probes and the 0-2 Proteobacteria probe always bound the same cells. One demonstration of the simultaneous use of the three PAO-probes with another sludge is given in Figure 2.

An indicative correlation between increasing P removal performance, as judged by P% in the sludge, and levels of P Proteobacteria was observed when data for the P sludge 45% P Proteobacteria), the S sludge (12.3%P, 56% 0 Proteobacteria), and the A sludge (15.1%P, 80% P Proteobacteria) were compared (see Table Data for Q, P, and A sludges specifically narrowed the p Proteobacteria to the 3-2 Proteobacteria (Table When this correlation was more deeply investigated with the specific PAO-probes on the GRC, Q, P, S and A sludges, the link between P% in the sludge and numbers of PAO-probe binding cells was unequivocally demonstrated (Figure 4).

Clearly, the designed PAO-probes for particular 1-2 Proteobacteria can be used to detect true PAO in sludge samples.

WO 01/46459 PCT/AU00/01611 It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that many different probes beyond those exemplified above can be prepared without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention.

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EDITORIAL NOTE APPLICATION NUMBER 24934/01 The following sequence listing pages 1 8 are part of the description. The claims pages follow on pages 40 41.

WO 01/46459 WO 0146459PCT/AUOO/0161 I SEQUENCE LISTING <110> CRC for Waste Management and Pollution Control Ltd <120> Probes and Primers for the Detection of Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms in Wastewater <130> 002367PC/KF <140> Not known <141> 2000-12-27 <160> 14 <170> Patentln Ver. 2.1 <210> 1 <211> 1460 <212> DNA <213> Rhodocyclus tenuis <400> 1 attgaacgct ggcgacgagt gtagcgaaag ccttgcgctt aggcgacgat ccagactcct gccatgccgc tggmactggc cgtgccagca agcgtgcgca cgtttgtgac aaatgcgtag cgctcatgca aaacgatgtc agttgaccgc gcacaagcgg gacatgtcag ctgcatggct acccctgtca ccggaggaag tcatacaatg cgatcgtagt cgcggatcag catgggagcg cagggttcgt ggcggcatgc ggcgaacggg ttacgctaat tgggagcggc ccgtagcggg acgggaggca gtgagtgaag taatacctgg gccgcggtaa ggcggttgtg tgcacagcta agatgtggag cgaaagcgtg aactaggtgt ctggggagta tggatgatgt gaatccttga gtcgtcagct ttaattgcca gtggggatga gtcggtccag ccggattgca catgtcgcgg ggttctgcca gactggggtg cttacacatq tgagtaatgc accgcatat t cgatgt cgga tctgagagga gcagtgggga aaggccttcg tgtcgatgac tacgtagggt taagacagac gagtttggca gaacaccgat gggagcaaac tggtggggtt cggccgcaag ggattaattc gagattaggg cgtgtcgtga tcattcagtt cgtcaagtcc agggt tgcca gtctgcaact tgaatacqtt gaagtagtta caagtcgaic atcggaacgt ctgtgagcag ttagctagtt tgatccgcca attttggaca ggttgtaaag ggtacccgaa gcgagcgtta gtgaaatccc gaggggggtg ggcgaaggca aggattagat aaacccatta gttaaaactc gatgcaacgc agtgcccgaa gatgttgggt gggcactcta tcatggccct acccqcgagg cgactgcatg cccgggtctt g c t aaccgc ggtaacgcgn gccctgaagt.

gaaaqcaggg gqtgaggtaa cactgggact atgggggaaa ctctttcggc gaagaagcac atcggaatta cgggctcaac gaattccacg gccccctggg accctggtag gtgccgtagc naaggaattg gaaaaacctt agggaacctg taagtcccgc atgagactgc tatgggtagg gggagccaat aagtcggaat gtacacaccg aaggagggcg gggaaaccnt gggggataac gatcttagga aagctcacca gagacacggc ccctgatcca ggggaagaaa cggctaacta ctgggcgtaa ctgggaactg tgtagcagtg ccaatactga tccacgccct taacgcgtga acggggaccc acctaccctt aacacaggtg aacgagcgca cggtgacaaa gcttcacacg cccgcaaagc cgctagtaat.

cccgtcacac attaccacgq 120 180 240 300 360 420 480 540 600 660 720 780 840 900 960 1020 1080 1140 1200 1260 1320 1380 1440 1460 <210> 2 <211> 1460 <212> DNA <213> Rhodocyclus tenuis <400> 2 attgaacgct ggcggcatgc cttacacatg caagtcgaac ggtaacgcgn. gggaaaccnt WO 01/46459PC/U /06I PCT/AUOO/01611 ggcgacgagt gtagcgaaag ccttgcgct t aggcgacgat ccagactcct gccatgccgc tggcactqgc cgtgccagca agcgtgcgca cgtttgtgac aaatgcgtag cgctcatgca aaacgatgt c agttgaccgc gcacaagcgg gacatgtcag ctgcatggct acccctgtca ccggaggaag tcatacaatg cgatcgtagt cgcggatcag catgggagcg cagggttcgt ggcgaacggg ttacgctaat tgggagcggc ccgtagcggg acgggaggca gtgagtgaag taatacctgg gccgcggtaa ggcggttgtg tgcacagcta agatgtggag cgaaagcgtg aactaggtgt ctggggagta tggatgatgt gaatccttga gtcgtcagct ttaattgcca gtggggatga gtcggtccag ccggattgca catgtcgcgg ggttctgcca gactggggtq tgagtaatgc accgcatatt cgatgtcgga tctgagagga gcagtgggga aaggccttcg tgtcgatgac tacgtagggt taagacagac gagtttggca gaacaccgat gggagcaaac tggtgggg-tt cggccgcaag ggattaattc gagat taggg cgtgtcgtga tcattcagtt cgtcaagtcc agggttgcca gtctgcaact tgaatacgtt gaagtagtta atcggaacgt ctgtgagcag ttagctagtt tgatccgcca attttggaca qgttgtaaag qgtacccgaa gcgagcqtta gtgaaatccc gaggggggtg ggcgaaggca aggattagat aaacccatta gttaaaactc gatgcaacgc agtgcccgaa gatgttgggt gggcactcta tcatggccct acccqcgagg cgactgcatg cccgggtctt gcctaaccgc gccctgaagt gaaagcaggg ggtgaggtaa cactgggact atgggggaaa ctctttcggc gaagaagcac atcggaatta cgggctcaac gaattccacg gccccctggg accctggtag gtgccgtagc aaaggaattg gaaaaacctt agggaacctg taagtcccgc atgagactgc tatgggtagg gggagccaat aagtcggaat gtacacaccg aaggagggcg gggggataac gatcttagga aagctcacca gagacacggc ccctgatcca ggggaagaaa cggctaacta ctgggcgtaa ctgggaactg tgtagcagtg ccaatactga tccacgccct taacgcgtga acggggaccc acctaccctt aacacaggtg aacgagcgca cggtgacaaa gct tcacacg cccgcaaagc cgctagtaat cccgtcacac attaccacgg 120 180 240 300 360 420 480 540 600 660 720 780 840 900 960 1020 1080 1140 1200 1260 1320 1380 1440 1460 <210> 3 <211> 1478 <212> DNA <213> Rhodocyclus purpureus <400> 3 tgaactgaag agtcgaacgg cggaacatgc gtgagcagga agctagttgg atccgccaca tttggacaat ttgtaaagct tacccgaaga nagcgt taat gaaatccccg ggggggtgga cgaaggcagc gattagatac acccattagt taaaactcaa tgcaacgcga tgcccgaaag tgttgggtta gcactttaat atggccc t ta ccgcgagggg actgcatgaa cgggtcttgt agtttgatcc taacgggncc cctgaagtgg aagcagggga tggggtaaaa ctgggactga gggcgaaagc ctttcggcgg agaagcaccg cggaattact ggctcaacct attccacgtg cccctgggcc cctggtagtc gccgtagcta aggaattgac aaaaccttac ggnacctgaa agtcccgcaa gaaactgccg tgggtagggc gagctaatcc gtcggaatcg acacaccgcc tggctcagat ttcgggcgcc gggataacgt cct tcgggcc gcctaccaag gacacqgccc ctgatccagc ggaagaaatc gctaactacg gggcgtaaag gggaactgcg tagcagtgaa aatactgacg cacgccctaa acgcgtgaag gggganccgc ctacccttga cacaggtgct cgag cgcaac gtgacaaacc t tcacacqt c cagaaagccg ctagtaatcq cgtcacacca tgaacgctgg gaacgagtgg agcgaaagtt ttgcgctttg gcaacgatcc agactcctac catgccgcgt gggtttccta tgccagcagc cgtgcgcagg tttgtgactg atgcgtagag ctcatgcacg acgatgtcaa ttgaccgcct acaagcggtg catgtcagga gcatggcngt ccttgtcatt ggaggaaggt atacaatggt atcgtagtcc cggatcagca tgggagcggg cggcatgcct cgaacgggtg acgctaatac ggagtqgccg gtagcgggtc gggaggcagc gagtgaagaa atacggaacc cgcggtaata cggttgtgta cacagctaga atgtggagga naagcgtggg ctaggtgttg ggggagtacg gatgatqtgg atcctgagga cgtcagctcg aattgccatc ggggatgacg cggtccatag ggattgcagt tgtcqcggtg ttctgccaga tacacatgca agtaatgcat cgcatattct atgtcggatt tgagaggatq agtggggaat gqccttcggg cggatgacgg cgtagggtgc agacagacgt gtacggcaga acaccgatgg gagcaaacag gtggggttaa gcggcaaggt attaattcga gact cgggag tgtcgtgaga attcagttgg tcaagtc ctc ggttgcnaac ctgcaactcg aatacgttcc agtagttagc 120 180 240 300 360 420 480 540 600 660 720 780 840 900 960 1020 1080 1140 1200 1260 1320 1380 1440 WO 01/46459 WO 0146459PCTAUOOO 1611 ctaaccgcaa ggagggcgat taccacggca gcgttcgt <210> 4 <211> 1460 <212> DNA <213> Rhodocyclus tenuis 1478 <400> 4 attgaacgct ggtggcgagt gtagcgaaag ccttgcgctt aggccacqat ccagactcct gccatgccgc ttgctcagga cgtgccagca agcgtqcgca cgtttgtgac aaatgcgtag cgctcatgca aaacgatgtc agttgaccgc qcacaagcgg gacatgtcag ctgcatggct acccttgtca ccggaggaag tcatacaatg cgatcgtagt cgcggatcag catgggagcg cagcgttcgt ggcggcatgc ggcgaacgg ttacgctaat tgggagcggc ccgtagcggg acgggaggca gtgagtgaag taataccctg gccgcggtaa ggcggt tgtg tgcacgacta agatgtggag cgaaagcgtg aactaggtgt ctggggagta tggatgatgt gaatcctgaa gtcgtcagct ttaattgcca gtggggatga gtcggtacag ccggattgca catgtcgcgg ggttctgcca gactggggtg cttacacatq tgagtaatgc accgcatatt cgatgtcgga tctgagagga gcagtgggga aaggccttcg agtagatgac tacgtagggt taagacagac gagtgtggca gaacaccgat gggagcaaac tggtggggtt cggccgcaag ggattaattc gagattcggg cgtgncgtga tcatttagtt cgtcaagtcc agggt Lgcca qt ctgcaact tgaatacgtt gaagtagtta caagtcgaac atcggaacgt ctgtgagcag ttagctagtt tgatccgcca attttggaca ggttgtaaag ggtacccgaa gcgagcgtta gtgaaatccc gaggggggtg ggcgaaggca aggattagat aaacccatta gttaaaactc gatgcaacgc agtgcccgaa gatgttgggt gggcactct a tcatggccct agccgcgagg cgactgcatq cccgggtctt gcctaaccgc ggcagcacgg gccctgaagt gaaagcaggg ggtggggtaa cactgggact atgggcgaaa ctctttcggc gaagaagcac atcggaatta cgggc tcaac gaattccacg gccccctggg accctggtag gtgccgtagc aaaggaattg gaaaaacctt agggagcctg taagtcccgc atgaaactgc tatgggtagg tggagccaat aagtcggaat gtacacaccg aaggagggcg gagcaatcct gggggataac gatcgcaaga aggcctacca gagacacggc gcctgatcca ggggaagaaa cggctaacta ctgggcgtaa ctgggaactg tgtagcagtg ccaatactga t ccacgccct taacgcgtga acggggaccc acctaccctt aacacaggtg aacgagcgca cggtgacaaa gcttcacacg cacagaaagc cgctngtaat cccgtcacac attaccacgg 120 180 240 300 360 420 480 540 600 660 720 780 840 900 960 1020 1080 1140 1200- 1260 1320 1380 1440 1460 <210> <211> 1322 <212> DNA <213> Rhodocyclus sp.

<400> taccgcatat ccgatgtcgg gtctgagagg agcagtgggg gaaggccttc gagtagatga atacgtaggg gtaagtcaga ggagtttggc ggaacaccga ggggagcaaa ttgggagggt acggccgcaa tggattaatt tctgtgagca attagctagt atgatccgcc aattttggac gggttgtaaa cggtacccga tgcgagcgtt tgtgaaatcc agaggggggt tggcgaaggc caggattaga taaacctttt ggctaaaact cgatgcaacg ggaaagcagg tggtggggta acactgggac aatgggcgga gctctttcgg ataagaagca aatcggaatt ccgggctcaa ggaattccac agccccctgg taccctqgta agtgccgtag caaaggaat t cgaaaaacct ggatcgcaag aaggcctacc tgagacacgg agcctgatcc cggggaagaa ccggctaact actgggcgta cctgggaact gtgtaqcagt gccaatactg gtccacgccc ctaacgcgtg gacggggacc tacctaccct accttgcgct aaggcgacga cccagactcc agccatgccg attgcttggg acgtgccagc aagcgtgcgc gcatttgaga gaaatgcgta acgctcatgc taaacgatgt aagttgaccg cgcacaagcg tgacatgtca ctgggagcgg tccgtagcgg tacgggaggc cgtgagtgaa t taataccc t agccgcggta aggcggtttt ctqcaagact gagatgtgga acgaaagcgt caactaggtg cctggggagt gtggatgatg ggaatcctgg WO 0 1146459 WO 0146459PCT/AUOO/0161 I agagat ttgg tcgtgtcgtg atcattgagt acgtcaagtc gagggttgcc agtctgcaac gtgaatacgt agaagtagtt gagtgctcgc agatgttggg tgggcacttt ctcatggccc aacccgcgag tcgactgcgt tvccgggtct agcttaaccg aagagagcct ttaagtcccg aatgagactg t tatgggtag ggggagccaa gaagtcggaa tgtacacacc caaggagggc gaacacaggt caacgagcgc ccggtgacaa ggcttcacac tctcagaaag tcgctagtaa gcccgtcaca gattaccacg gctgcatggc aacccttgtc accggaggaa gtcatacaat ccgatcgtag tcgcggatca ccatgggagc gcagggttcg tgtcgtcagc attaattgcc ggtggggatg ggtcggtcca tccggatcgc gcatgccgcg gggttctgcc tgactggggt 900 960 1020 1080 1140 1200 126,0 1320 1322 <210> 6 <211> 1460 <212> DNA <213> Unknown Organism <220> <223> Description of Unknown Organism: Polyphosphate-accuimulating organism <400> 6 attaaacgct ggtggcgagt gcagcgaaag ccttgcgctt aggcgacgat ccagactcct gccatgccgc ttgcttgggt cgtgccagca agcg-tgcgca cat ttgagac aaatgcgtag cgctcatgca aaacgatgtc agttgaccgc gcacaagcgg gacatgtcag ctgcatggct acccttgtca ccggaggaag tcatacaatg cqatcgtagt cgcggatcag catgggagcg cagggttcgt ggcggcatgc ggcggacggg ctacgctaat tgggagcggc ccgtagcggg acgggaggca gtgagtgaag taataccctg gccgcggtaa ggcggttttg tgcaagactg agatgtggag cgaaagcgtg aactaggtgt ctggggagta tggatgatgt gaatcctgga gt cgtcagct ttaattgcca gtggggatga gt cggtccag ccggatcgca catgccgcgg ggt tc tgcca gactggggtg cttacacatg caagtcgaac tgagtaatgc accgcatatt cgatqtcgga tctgagagga gcagtgggga aaggccttcg agtagatgac tacgtagggt taagtcagat gagtttggca gaacaccgat gggagcaaac tgggagggtt cggccgcaag ggattaattc gagatttggg cgtgtcgtga tcattgagtt cgtcaagtcc agggttgcca gtct gcaact tgaatacgtt gaagtagtta atcggaacgt ctgtgagcag ttagctagtt tgatccgcca attttggaca ggttgtaaag ggtacccgaa gcgagcgtta gtgaaatccc gaggggggtg ggcgaaggca aggattagat aaacctttta gctaaaactc gatgcaacgc agtgctcgca gatgttgggt gggcacttta tcatggccct acccgcgagg cgactgcgtg cccgggtctt gcctaaccgc ggcagcacgg gccctgaagt gaaagcaggg ggtggggtaa cactgggact atgggcggaa ctctttcggc taagaagcac atcggaatta cgggctcaac gaatt ccacg gccccctggg accctggtag gtgccgtagc aaaggaattg gaaaaacctt agagaacctg taagtcccgc atgagactgc tatgggtagg gggagccaat aagtcggaat gtacacaccg aaggagggcq gggcaaccct gggggataac 120 gatcgcaaga 180 tggcctacca 240 gagacacggc 300 gcctgatcca 360 ggggaagaaa 420 cqgctaacta 480 ctgggcgtaa 540 ctgggaactg 600 tgtagcagtg 660 ccaatactga 720 tccacgccct 780 taacgcgtga 840 acggggaccc 900 acctaccctt 960 aacacaggtg 1020 aacgagcqca 1080 cggtgacaaa 1140 gcttcacacg 1200 ctcagaaagc 1260 cgctagtaat 1320 cccgtcacac 1380 attaccacgg 1440 1460 <210> 7 <211> 1320 <212> DNA <213> Unknown Organism <220> <223> Description of Unknown Organism: Polyphosphate-accumulat ing organism r WOO01/46459PC/UO01I PCT/AUOO/01611 <400> 7 attaaacgct ggtggcgagt gcagcgaaag ccttgcgctt aggcgacgat ccagactcct gccatgccgc ttgcttgggt cgtgccagca agcgtgcgca catttgagac aaatgcgtag cgctcatgca aaacgatgtc agttgaccgc gcacaagcgg gacatgtcag ctgcatggct acccttgtca ccggaggaag tcatacaatg cgatcgtagt ggcggcatgc ggcggacggg ctacgctaat tgggagcggc ccgtagcggg acgggaggca gtgagtgaag taataccctg gccgcggtaa ggcggttttg tgcaagactg agatgtggag cgaaagcgtg aactaggtgt ctggggagta tggatgatgt gaatcctgga gt cgt cagct ttaattgcca gtggggatga gtcggtccag ccggatcgca cttacacatg tgagtaatgc accgcatatt cqatgtcgga tctgagagga gcagtgggga aaggccttcg agtagatgac tacgtagggt taagtcagat gagtttggca gaacaccgat gggagcaaac tgggagggtt cggccgcaag ggattaattc gagatttggg cgtgtcgtga tcattgagtt cgtcaagtcc agggttgcca gtctgcaact caagtcgaac atcggaacgt ctgtgagcag ttagctagtt tgatccgcca attttggaca qgttgtaaag gg tac ccgaa gcgagcgtta gtgaaatccc gaggggggtg ggcgaaggca aggat tagat aaacctttta gct aaaac tc gatqcaacgc agtgct cgca gatgttgggt gggcac ttta tcatggccct acccgcgagg cgactgcgtg ggcagyacgg gccctgaagt gaaagcaggg ggtggggtaa cactgggact atgggcggaa ctctttcggc taagaagcac atcggaatta cgggctcaac gaattccacg gccccctggg accctggtaq gtgccgtagc aaaggaattg gaaaaacctt agagaacctg taagtcccgc atgagactgc tatgggtagg gggagccaat aagtcggaat gggcaaccct gggggataac gatcgcaaga tggcctacca gagacacggc gcctgatcca ggggaagaaa cggctaacta ctgggcgtaa ctgggaactg tgt agcagtg ccaatactga tccacgccct taacgcgtga acggggaccc acctaccctt aacacaggtg aacgagcgca cggtgacaaa gcttcacacg ctcagaaagc cgctagtaat 120 180 240 300 360 420 480 540 600 660 720 780 840 900 960 1020 1080 1140 1200 1260 1320 <210> 8 <211> 1459 <212> DNA <213> Unknown Organism <22 0> <223> Description of Unknown Organism: Polyphosphate- accumulating organism <400> 8 attaaacgct gtgqcgagtg tagcgaaagt cttgcgctct ggcgacgatc cagact cct a ccatgccgcg tgcacgggtt gtgccagcag gcgtgcgcag at ttgagact aatgcgtaga gctcatgcac aacgatgtca gttgaccgcc cacaagcggt acatgtcagg tgcatggctg cccttgtcat cggaggaagg gcggcatgcc gcggacgggt tacgctaata gggagcggcc cgtagcgggt cgggaggcag tgagtgaaga aataccctgt ccgcggtaat gcggtttggt gccaggctgg gatqtggagg gaaagcgtgg actaggtgtt tggggagtac ggatgatgtg aat cc tgaag tcgtcagctc taattgccat tggggatgac ttacacatgc gagtaaagca ccgcatattc gatgtcggat ctgagaggat cagtggggaa aggccttcgg gtagatgacg acgtagggtg aagtcagatg agtttggcag aacaccgatg ggagcaaaca gggagggtta ggccgcaagg gattaattcg agatttggga gtgtcgtgag catttagttg gtcaagtcct aagtcgaacg tcggaacgta tgtgagcagg tagctagttg gat ccgc cac ttttggacaa gttgtaaagc gtacccgaat cgagcgttaa tgaaat ccc c aggggggtgg gcgaaggcag ggattagata aaccttttag ctaaaactca atqcaacgcg gtgcicgcaa atgttgggtt ggcactttaa catggc cc tt gcaqcacggg tcctggagtg aaagcagggg gtggggtaaa actgggactg tgggcgcaag tctttcgrcg aagaagcacc tcggaattac gggctcaacc aattccacgt ccccctgggc ccctggtagt tgccgtagct aaggaattga aaaaacctta gagagcctga aagtcccgca tgagactgcc atgggtaggg ggcaaccctg ggggataacg atcgcaagac ggcctaccaa agacacggcc cctgatccag gggaagaaat ggctaactac tgggcgtaaa tgggaactgc gtagcagtga caatactgac ccacgcccta aacgcgtgaa cggggacccg cctacccttg acacaggtgc acgagcgcaa agtgacaaac cttcacacgt 120 180 240 300 360 420 480 540 600 660 720 780 840 900 960 1020 1080 1140 1200 I WO 01/46459 WOOI/6459PCTAUOOO 1611 catacaatgg tcggtccaga gggttgccaa cccgcgaggg ggagccaatc tcagaaagcc 1260 gatcgtagtc cggatcgcag tctgcaactc gactgcgtga agtcggaatc gctagtaatc 1320 gcggatcagc atgtcgcggt gaatacgttc ccgggtcttg tacacaccgc ccgtcacacc 1380 atgggagcgg gttctgccag aagtagttag cctaaccgca aggagggcga ttaccacggc 1440 agggttcgtg actggggtg 1459 <210> 9 <211> 1426 <212> DNA <213> Unknown Organism <220> <223> Description of Unknown Organism: Polyphosphate-accumulating organism <400> 9 attaaacgc t gtggcgagtg tagcgaaagt cttgcgttcq ggcaacgatc cagactccta ccatgccgcg cgcacgggta gtgccagcag gcgtgcgcag atttgagact aatgcgtaga gctcatgcac aacgatgtca gttgaccgcc cacaagcggt acatgtcagg tgcatggctg cccttgtcat cggaggaagg catacaatgg gatcgtagtc gcggatcagc atgggagcgg gcggcatgcc gcgaacgggt tacgctaata aggaacggcc cgtagcgggt cgggaggcag tgagtgaaga aataccctgt ccgcggtaat gcggtttggt gccaagctgg gatgtggagg gaaagcgtgg actaggtgtt tggggagtac ggatgatgtg aatcccggag tcgtcagctc taattgccat tggggatgac tcgqtccaga cggatcgcaq atgccgcggt ttacacatgc gagtaaagca ccgcatattc gatgtcggat ctgagaggat cagtggggaa aggccttcgg gtggatgacg acgtagggtg aagtcagatg agtttggcag aacaccgatg ggagcaaaca gggagggtt a ggccgcaagg gattaattcg agatttggga gtgtcgtgag cat tcagttg gtcaagtcct gggttgccaa t ctgcaact c gaatacgttc aagtcgaacg tcggaacgtg tgtgagcagg tagctagttg gatccgccac ttttggacaa gttgtaaagc gtaccggaat cgagcgttaa tgaaatcccc aggggggtgg gcgaaggcag ggattagata aaccttttag ctaaaactca atgcaacgcg gtgctcgcaa atgttgggtt ggcactttaa catggccctt cccgcgaggg gactgcgtga ccgggtcttg gcagcacggg ccctggaatg aaagcagggg gtggggtaaa actggaactq tgggcgcaag tctttcggCC aagaagcacc tcggaattac gggctcaacc aattccacgt ccccctgggc cc ct ggtagt tgccgtagct aaggaattga aaaaacctta gagaacctga aag-tcccgca tgagactgcc atgggtaggg ggagccaatc agtcggaatc tacacaccgc ggcaaccctg ggggataacg at cgcaagac agcctaccaa agacacggtc cctgatccag gggaagaaat ggctaactac tgggcgtaaa tgggaactgc gtagcagtga caatactgac ccacgcccta aacgcgtgaa cggggacccg cctacccttg acacaggtgc acgagcgcaa ggtgacaaac cttcacacgt ccagaaagcc qctagtaatc ccgtcacacc 120 180 240 300 360 420 480 540 600 660 720 780 840 900 960 1020 1080 1140 1200 1260 1320 1380 1426 gttctgccag aagtagttag cctaaccgca aggagg <210> <211> 1485 <212> DNA <213> Propionibacter pelophilus <400> ggctcagatt cttgcacctg ggggataacg atcgcaagac ggcctaccaa agacacggcc cctgatccag gaacgctggc atggcgagtg tagcgaaagt ctctcgcttt ggcgacgatc cagactccta ccatgccgcg ggcatgcctt gcgaacgggt tacgctaata cggagcggcc cgtagcgggt cgggaggcag tgagtgaaga acacatgcaa gagtaatgca ccgcatattc gatgtcggat ctgagaggat cagtggggaa aggccttcgg gtcgaacggc tcggaacgta tgtgagcagg tagctagttg gatccgccac ttttggacaa gttgtaaagc agcaigggtg cccggaagtg aaagaggggg gtggggtaaa actgggactg tgggcgcaag tctttcggtc WO 01/46459 C/UO06I PCT/AUOO/01611 gggaagaaat ggctaactac tgggcgtaaa tgggaatggc gtagcagtga tactactgac ccacgcccta aacgcgtgaa cggggacccg cctacccttg acacaggtgc acgaqcgcaa ggtgacaaac cttcacacgt tcagaaagcc gctagtaatc ccgtcacacc ttaccacggc ggcacgctct gtgccagcag gcgtgcgcag ctttgagact aatgcgtaga gctcatgcac aacgatgtca gttgaccgcc cacaagcggt acatgtcagg tgcatggctg cccttgtcgt cggaggaagg catacaatgg gatcgtagtc gcggatcagc atgggagcgg ggggttcgtg aacatagcgt ccgcggtaat gcggttgtgt gcacggctag gatgtggagg gaaagcgtgg actggatgtt tggggagtac ggatgatgtg aatccttgag t cgt cag ct c taattgccat tggggatgac tcggttcaga cggattgcag atgccgcggt gttctgccag actggggtga gttgatgacg acgtagggtg aagtcagagg agtgtgacag aataccgatg ggagcaaaca gggagggtta ggccgcaagg gattaattcg agattgagga gtgtcgtgag cattaagttg gtcaagtcct gggttgccaa tctgcaactc gaatacgttc aagtaggtag agtcgtaaca gtaccgacat cgagcgttaa tgaaat ccc c aggggggtag gcgaaggcag ggattagata aacctcttag ctaaaactca atgcaacgcg gtgcccgaaa.

atgttgggtt ggcactttaa catggccctt cccgcgaggg gactgcatga ccgggtcttg cctaaccgca aggta aagaagcacc tcggaattac gggctcaacc aattccacgt ccccctgggt ccctggtagt tg-tcgtagct aaggaattga aaaaacctta gggagcctga aagtcccgca tgagactgcc atgggtaggg ggagccaat c agtcggaat c tacacaccgc aggagggcgc 480 540 600 660 720 780 840 900 960 1020 1080 1140 1200 1260 1320 1380 1440 1485 <210> 11 <211> 24 <212> DNA <213> Artificial Sequence 220> <223> Description of Artificial Sequence: Oligonucleotide probe/primer <400> 11 ccgtcatcta cwcagggtat taac <210> 12 <211> 18 <212> DNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> Description of Artificial Sequence: Oligonucleotide probe/primer <400> 12 ccctctgcca aactccag <210> 13 <211> 21 <212> DNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> Description of Artificial Sequence: Oligonucleotide probe/primer <400> 13 WO 01/46459 PC1'/AUOO/0161 I gttagctacg gcactaaaag g c210> 14 <211> 22 <212> DNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> Description of Artificial Sequence: Oligonucleotide probe/primer <400> 14 aggattcctg acatgtcaag gq

Claims (10)

1. An oligonucleotide probe or primer for detecting a polyphosphate accumulating organism in a sample, said oligonucleotide having a sequence of 12 to 50 nucleotides selected from any one of SEQ ID NO. 5 to SEQ ID NO. 9cor the reverse conmplement of anycone of SEQ ID) NO. 5 to SEQ D NO. 9; and wherein said oligonucleotide has the binding characteristics of an oligonueleotide of any one of the following sequences: 5'-CCGTCATCTACWCAGGGTATTAAC-3' (SEQ 11D NO. 11) 5'-CCCTCTGCCAAACTCCAG-3' (SEQ ED NO. 12) 5'-GTTAGCTACGGCACTAAAAGG-3' (SEQ ID NO. 13).

2. The oligonucleotide according to claim 1, wherein said oligoruelcotide has a length of to 25 nucleotides.

3. The oligonucleotide according to claim 1, wherein said oligonucleotide has a sequence selected from: 5'-CCGTCATCTACWCAGGGTATrAAC-3' (SEQ ED NO. 11) 5'-CCCTCTGCCAAACTCCAG-3' (SEQ 11D NO. 12) 5'-GTrAGCTACGGCACI'AAAAGG-3' (SEQ ID NO. 13).

4. An~ oligonucleotide probe or primer for detecting organisms in a sample related to polyphosphate accumulating organisms, said oligonucleotide having a sequence of 12 to nucleotides selected from any one of the sequences of Figure 3 (SEQ B) NO. i to SEQ D) NO. 10) or the reverse complement of any one of the sequences of Figure 3; and wherein said oligonucleotide has the binding characteristics of an oligonucleotide of the following sequence: 5'-AG3GAUTCCTGACATGTCAAGGG-3' (SEQ ID NO. 14). The oligonucleotide according to claimi 4, wherein said oligonucleotide has the following sequence: 5'-AGGPUTCC'rGACATOTCAAGYGG-3' (SEQ DD No. 14).

6. A method of detecting cells of a polyphosphate accumulating organism in a sample, said method comprising the steps of treating cells in said sample to f. cellular contents; contacting said fixed cells from step with a labelled oligonuocotide probe wider conditions which allow said probe to hybridize with 16S rRNA within said fixed -cell, wherein said probe is an oligonucleotide accoidim'g to claim I; EPO DG removing unhybridized probe from said fted cells; and detecting said labelled probe-RNA hybrid. 2 9. 05. 200?

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said label-is a radiolabel, a reporter Aip or a hapten. W~ENDED SHEET 1PEA1AU PCT/AUOO/0 1611 Received 15 April 2002 41

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein said detection is by fluorecence in situ hybridization.

9. A method of detecting a polyphosphate accumulating organism in a sample, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining nucleic acid from cells of said organism; contacting nucleic acid from stop with a labelled or immnobilised oligonacleotide probe under conditions which allow said probe to hyrdize to 16S nucleic acid molecules, wherein said probe is an oligonucleotide according to claim 1; if necessary, separating unhybridized probe and labelled probe-nucleic acid hybrid; and detecting said labelled probe-nucleic acid hybrid. The method according to claim 9, wherein said imrmobilisation is to an inert support.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein said detection is by an ion channel biosensor.

12. The method according to claim 9, comprising the further step of quantitating the number of cells of polyphosphate accumulating organism in said sample. AIl Nbaz