BIO 432—Microbial Genomics and Metagenomics

This is a lecture course based on cutting edge publications in the field of microbiology. While it will be advantageous for students already familiar with the microbial world, it can be taken by any undergraduate (or graduate) student in CAS and/or the medical and affiliated fields. In recent years, biological sciences (and microbiology) have been transformed by the ever increasing complete genome sequences and entire microbial community sequences (metagenomes). Thus, current molecular biology research is being driven more by genome sequencing and functional analysis than by research of individual genes. Because much of genomics depends on comparative sequence analysis, an understanding of evolutionary processes is also essential. BIO 432/532 deals with the basic findings and approaches in the field of microbial genomics and metagenomics using bacteria and viruses as examples. We will cover conceptual aspects as well as methodology and technical advances that are central to obtaining and exploring genome sequences. Specific areas and topics that will be discussed include bacterial and viral genome structure and evolution, genomic variation, impact of horizontal gene transfer on genome evolution, and other issues in comparative genomics. We will also examine the relatively new field of the microbiomes of humans and other animals, as well as environmental metagenomics