摘要:We sequenced 16S ribosomal DNA from eight Bifidobacterium strains to explore the feasibility of using ribosomal RNA sequence to characterise the human colonic flora. The genus was well defined by this method. Closely related species could be readily distinguished. Ribosomal RNA should be an appropriate target for identification of bifidobacteria in the human colonic flora.Keywords - Bifidobacteria; Ribosomal RNA; 16S ribosomal RNA; Ribosomal DNA; lntestines/microbiology.