The New Science Of Metagenomics: Revealing The Secrets Of Our Microbial Planet
by National Research Council /
2007 / English / PDF
2.4 MB Download
Although we can't usually see them, microbes are essential for
every part of human life -- indeed all life on Earth. The
emerging field of metagenomics offers a new way of exploring the
microbial world that will transform modern microbiology and lead
to practical applications in medicine, agriculture, alternative
energy, environmental remediation, and many others areas.
Metagenomics allows researchers to look at the genomes of all of
the microbes in an environment at once, providing a "meta" view
of the whole microbial community and the complex interactions
within it. It's a quantum leap beyond traditional research
techniques that rely on studying -- one at a time -- the few
microbes that can be grown in the laboratory. At the request of
the National Science Foundation, five Institutes of the National
Institutes of Health, and the Department of Energy, the National
Research Council organized a committee to address the current
state of metagenomics and identify obstacles current researchers
are facing in order to determine how to best support the field
and encourage its success.
Although we can't usually see them, microbes are essential for
every part of human life -- indeed all life on Earth. The
emerging field of metagenomics offers a new way of exploring the
microbial world that will transform modern microbiology and lead
to practical applications in medicine, agriculture, alternative
energy, environmental remediation, and many others areas.
Metagenomics allows researchers to look at the genomes of all of
the microbes in an environment at once, providing a "meta" view
of the whole microbial community and the complex interactions
within it. It's a quantum leap beyond traditional research
techniques that rely on studying -- one at a time -- the few
microbes that can be grown in the laboratory. At the request of
the National Science Foundation, five Institutes of the National
Institutes of Health, and the Department of Energy, the National
Research Council organized a committee to address the current
state of metagenomics and identify obstacles current researchers
are facing in order to determine how to best support the field
and encourage its success.The New Science of Metagenomics
The New Science of Metagenomics
recommends the establishment of a "Global Metagenomics
Initiative" comprising a small number of large-scale metagenomics
projects as well as many medium- and small-scale projects to
advance the technology and develop the standard practices needed
to advance the field. The report also addresses database needs,
methodological challenges, and the importance of
interdisciplinary collaboration in supporting this new field.
recommends the establishment of a "Global Metagenomics
Initiative" comprising a small number of large-scale metagenomics
projects as well as many medium- and small-scale projects to
advance the technology and develop the standard practices needed
to advance the field. The report also addresses database needs,
methodological challenges, and the importance of
interdisciplinary collaboration in supporting this new field.