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Microbial Genomics
FEMS Microbiology Reviews 22 (1998) 205
Editorial
Microbial Genomics A. Klier Uniteè de Biochimie Microbienne, Deèpartement des Biotechnologies, Institut Pasteur, 25, rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France
Microbial genome analysis is currently enjoying exponential growth, and for many biologists the late 1990s mark the beginning of the era of genomics, like the early 1960s marked the onset of molecular biology. During the past years, about a dozen bacterial genomes have been completed and next year could see another set of 10 or more genomes entirely sequenced. It is reasonably expected that in two or three years the genome sequences originating from most pathogen and non-pathogen model bacteria will be deposited in the data bank. One of the most exciting aspects of this avalanche of genome sequences is the immediate public access to the data. This information has the potential to open informative and e¤cient research avenues. To have the `complete sequence' instead of the sequence of the `interesting genes' completely changes the way research projects are conducted and provides a powerful tool for studying the biology of microorganisms. However, similarity is not function, and the burden for the biologist is to translate inanimate DNA sequences into cellular activities. The availability of extensive genomic information in combination with function assays will allow the scienti¢c community to develop new genetic and molecular approaches to examine microbial populations in their environments. The ¢nal challenge remains to establish an image that accurately re£ects how individual genes interact to create the complex world of microbial specializations. Microbial physiology is back again with new molecular and genomic tools. The goal of this special issue is to give some insights into this new ¢eld. Some of the promises and limitations of using genomics including the combination of complete genome sequences and the informatic tools are reviewed, as well as the strategies that can be used to exploit data. In most of the reviews, the authors also discuss the challenges of the near future and how genomics and derived technologies may help overcome them. The 21st century will no doubt usher in novel ways to tap the vast resources of genetic information.
0168-6445 / 98 / $19.00 ß 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. PII: S 0 1 6 8 - 6 4 4 5 ( 9 8 ) 0 0 0 3 1 - X
FEMSRE 632 27-11-98
Editorial
Microbial Genomics A. Klier Uniteè de Biochimie Microbienne, Deèpartement des Biotechnologies, Institut Pasteur, 25, rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France
Microbial genome analysis is currently enjoying exponential growth, and for many biologists the late 1990s mark the beginning of the era of genomics, like the early 1960s marked the onset of molecular biology. During the past years, about a dozen bacterial genomes have been completed and next year could see another set of 10 or more genomes entirely sequenced. It is reasonably expected that in two or three years the genome sequences originating from most pathogen and non-pathogen model bacteria will be deposited in the data bank. One of the most exciting aspects of this avalanche of genome sequences is the immediate public access to the data. This information has the potential to open informative and e¤cient research avenues. To have the `complete sequence' instead of the sequence of the `interesting genes' completely changes the way research projects are conducted and provides a powerful tool for studying the biology of microorganisms. However, similarity is not function, and the burden for the biologist is to translate inanimate DNA sequences into cellular activities. The availability of extensive genomic information in combination with function assays will allow the scienti¢c community to develop new genetic and molecular approaches to examine microbial populations in their environments. The ¢nal challenge remains to establish an image that accurately re£ects how individual genes interact to create the complex world of microbial specializations. Microbial physiology is back again with new molecular and genomic tools. The goal of this special issue is to give some insights into this new ¢eld. Some of the promises and limitations of using genomics including the combination of complete genome sequences and the informatic tools are reviewed, as well as the strategies that can be used to exploit data. In most of the reviews, the authors also discuss the challenges of the near future and how genomics and derived technologies may help overcome them. The 21st century will no doubt usher in novel ways to tap the vast resources of genetic information.
0168-6445 / 98 / $19.00 ß 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. PII: S 0 1 6 8 - 6 4 4 5 ( 9 8 ) 0 0 0 3 1 - X
FEMSRE 632 27-11-98