How can PCR or mass spectrometer be used to detect an unkown new bacteria to which no human has exposed?

Question

How can PCR or mass spectrometer be used to detect an unkown new bacteria to which no human has exposed?

Answer 1

When you use PCR, you have to know at least part of what you're looking for already (the way PCR works is by cutting up a protein and copying specific bits of it over and over again, essentially).  You don't just put in a sample and it comes out with a description.  I don't know why a mass spec would be useful either--all that will tell you is something about the composition of your sample, not whether that composition is new or unique.

The way you find new bacteria is by culturing them, usually.  You want to see how they live.  Bacteria to which "no human has been exposed" tend to be the ones they find in very out-of-the-way locations like sulfuric vents at the bottom of the ocean.  As far as I know, they sample and culture the location until something grows out just like anything else (though I'm not an expert on such things).  Why does human exposure matter?  There are undoubtedly lots of new species of bacteria to be discovered.  There are more bacteria than any other life form on the planet, by orders of magnitude.

I don't understand the point of the question, I'm afraid.

Answer 2

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a method of elongating protein strands, while MS (mass spec) determines specifically proteins/molecules based on their molecular weights.  If there's more to your question, please pose.