Microbial population genetics is a rapidly advancing field of investigation with relevance to many areas of science. The subject encompasses theoretical issues, such as the origins and evolution of species, sex, and recombination. Population genetics lays the foundations for tracking the origin and evolution of antibiotic resistance and deadly infectious pathogens and is also an essential tool in the utilization of beneficial microbes. This invaluable book, written by leading researchers in the field, details the current major advances in microbial population genetics and genomics. Distinguished international scientists introduce fundamental concepts, describe genetic tools, and comprehensively review recent data from SNP surveys, whole-genome DNA sequences, and microarray hybridizations. The chapters cover broad groups of microorganisms including viruses, bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, and algae. A major focus is the application of molecular tools in the study of genetic variation. Topics covered include microbial systematics, comparative microbial genomics, horizontal gene transfer, pathogenic bacteria, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, cyanobacteria, microalgae, fungi, malaria parasites, viral pathogens, and metagenomics. Microbial Population Genetics is an essential volume for everyone interested in population genetics, and it is highly recommended reading for all microbiologists.

This text explores the most recent advances in NGS instrumentation and data anlysis. It begins with a comprehensive description of current NSG platforms, their sequencing chemistries, instrument specifications, and general workflows and procedures. A separate chapter is dedicated to low-quanitity, single molecule sequencing technology. Further chapters explore the application of NSG technologies in various fields.

Ever since the pioneering work of Darwin and Wallace, evolutionary biologists have attempted to understand the evolutionary dynamics of genetic systems. A range of theories on evolutionary ratesfrom static to gradual to punctuated to quantumhave been developed, primarily by comparing morphological changes over geological timescales as described in the fossil record. Recent studies, however, are beginning to change the way that we view evolutionary patterns and processes. New paleontological, experimental, molecular, and genomic investigations are providing a tremendous amount of novel data and fresh perspectives, offering valuable insights on the rates of evolutionary change, particularly in fast-evolving genetic systems. Rapidly Evolving Genes and Genetic Systems captures these recent exciting developments across a broad range of morphological, molecular, cellular, developmental, and genetic investigations in both natural and experimental populations over a diversity of life forms. The book provides a fascinating series of case studies that exemplify rapid evolution, and showcases the diversity of rapidly evolving genes and genetic systems, emphasizing the extremely important roles that they play in adaptation, speciation, and the generation and maintenance of a diversity of biological traits and properties. This exciting collection showcases the latest research of more than 50 eminent evolutionary biologists. It will be suitable for senior undergraduate students, graduate students, researchers, and for all those interested in the study of evolution.

Ever since the pioneering work of Darwin and Wallace, evolutionary biologists have attempted to understand the evolutionary dynamics of genetic systems. A range of theories on evolutionary ratesfrom static to gradual to punctuated to quantumhave been developed, primarily by comparing morphological changes over geological timescales as described in the fossil record. Recent studies, however, are beginning to change the way that we view evolutionary patterns and processes. New paleontological, experimental, molecular, and genomic investigations are providing a tremendous amount of novel data and fresh perspectives, offering valuable insights on the rates of evolutionary change, particularly in fast-evolving genetic systems. Rapidly Evolving Genes and Genetic Systems captures these recent exciting developments across a broad range of morphological, molecular, cellular, developmental, and genetic investigations in both natural and experimental populations over a diversity of life forms. The book provides a fascinating series of case studies that exemplify rapid evolution, and showcases the diversity of rapidly evolving genes and genetic systems, emphasizing the extremely important roles that they play in adaptation, speciation, and the generation and maintenance of a diversity of biological traits and properties. This exciting collection showcases the latest research of more than 50 eminent evolutionary biologists. It will be suitable for senior undergraduate students, graduate students, researchers, and for all those interested in the study of evolution.