WGS vs 16S rRNA

Question

[phoenix.sum13]

In what ways using WGS is an advantage over 16S rRNA amplicons in microbiome studies? It would be really helpful if you could list some of the applications/cases.

Answer 1

[Mensur Dlakic]

With 16S rRNA you get ~1000 nucleotides and the only thing that can be done with it is general phylogenetic placement. With WGS you get millions of nucleotides and with that you can do pretty much anything.