Using the housekeeping gene cpn60 as a marker for microbial community profiling and viability assessment

This study investigates microbial community composition and activity across human and built environment microbiomes using paired DNA and RNA (cDNA) amplicon sequencing. To assess microbial viability and transcriptional activity, we targeted both the universal 16S rRNA V4 region and the protein-coding cpn60 universal target (UT) region. Amplicon libraries were generated from total community DNA and corresponding cDNA, enabling comparison of total versus transcriptionally active community members. The resulting datasets allow evaluation of microbial community structure, differential activity, and viability across diverse environments. This submission includes high-throughput paired-end Illumina sequencing data for 16S rRNA and cpn60 amplicons from multiple sample types encompassing human and environmental microbiomes.