Microbial Evolution: Gene Establishment, Survival, and Exchange

Microbial Evolution: Gene Establishment, Survival, and Exchange is an essential introductory volume covering an areaof research that has seen rapid development in recent years. With the advent of genome sequencing and its role in our continued investigation of bacterial evolution, we are better equipped to understand the inner workings of an organism as well as its interaction within the microbial community and the resultant evolutionary processes. Drawing on many disparate themes, this book provides an excellent overview of the field of bacterial evolution, particularly for students in the field of microbiology and related life sciences, and it is an exemplary discussion of microbial evolution for practicing microbiologists.

With an emphasis on general themes, the book presents fundamental topics crucial to the understanding of microbial evolution. The chapters unify the aspects of the form and function of the microbial genome with its ability to evolve upon exposure to internal and external molecular processes. Significant technological changes of the past decade are presented, with discussion of and reference to the newest techniques employed in the field. Each chapter contains a selection of study questions, and each section concludes with a chapter summarizing highlights and themes presented in that section. Chapter references give broad coverage, and include general references for further reading suggestions, historical references, and specific references citing papers in a given subject area.

With such extensive history of adaptation and survival in the midst of vast environmental changes, microbes provide an excellent model for understanding evolutionary processes. Microbial Evolution: Gene Establishment, Survival, and Exchange will stimulate a wide array of readers to further their knowledge of bacterial evolution and the principles of genetic diversity.