DNA of Soil Microbes (IMAGE) University of California - Berkeley Caption Soil microbes produce many types of chemicals that could potentially be turned into antibiotics, drugs or industrial chemicals. UC Berkeley and Berkeley Lab researchers have found a way to mine this treasure trove by sequencing all the DNA in the thousands of microbes in a soil sample, a technique called metagenomics. Credit Zosia Rostomian image, Berkeley Lab. Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.