The advent of
metagenomics has had a dramatic effect in the way we view and study the microbial world. By allowing the direct investigation of the vast majority of bacteria, as well as viruses and fungi, irrespective of their culturability and taxonomic identities,
metagenomics has not only changed microbiological theory and methods but also has challenged the classical concept of species. This newly evolved biological field has proven to be rich and comprehensive and is making important contributions to
microbial ecology, biodiversity,
bioremediation, bioprospection of natural products, medicine, and many other fields. The diversity of facets of
metagenomics as well as the multiplicity of its potential applications makes it difficult to find an ample but at the same time ordered account of this new discipline.
Further readingLabels: metagenomics