The new science of metagenomics : revealing the secrets of our microbial planet / Committee On Metagenomics: Challenges and Functional Applications, Board on Life Sciences, Division on Earth and Life Studies, National Research Council of the National Academies.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Metagenomics: Challenges and Functional Applications.

Contributor:

National Academies Press (U.S.)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Genomics.

Genetics.

Bioinformatics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (170 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academies Press, c2007.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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 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.

Contents:

""Front Matter""; ""Acknowledgments""; ""Contents""; ""Summary""; ""1 Why Metagenomics?""; ""2 A New Light on Biology""; ""3 From Genomics to Metagenomics: First Steps""; ""4 Designing a Successful Metagenomics Project: Best Practices and Future Needs""; ""5 Data Management and Bioinformatics Challenges of Metagenomics""; ""6 The Institutional Landscape for Metagenomics: New Science, New Challenges""; ""7 A Balanced Portfolio: Multi-Scale Projects in the Global Metagenomics Initiative""; ""8 Recommendations""; ""9 Epilogue""; ""References""; ""Appendixes""

""Appendix A Statement of Task""""Appendix B Committee Biographies""

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9786610844555

9780309185752

0309185750

9781280844553

1280844558

9780309106771

030910677X

OCLC:

923278176