The New Science of Metagenomics by National Research Council

The New Science of Metagenomics by National Research Council

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. Table of Contents Front Matter 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 Appendix A Statement of Task Appendix B Committee Biographies

Committee on Metagenomics: Challenges and Functional Applications, National Research Council

SKU	Nicht verfügbar
ISBN 13	9780309106764
ISBN 10	0309106761
Titel	The New Science of Metagenomics
Autor	National Research Council
Buchzustand	Nicht verfügbar
Bindungsart	Paperback
Verlag	National Academies Press
Erscheinungsjahr	2007-06-24
Seitenanzahl	170
Hinweis auf dem Einband	Die Abbildung des Buches dient nur Illustrationszwecken, die tatsächliche Bindung, das Cover und die Auflage können sich davon unterscheiden.
Hinweis	Nicht verfügbar