About this Research Topic
The great diversity of microbial life is the remaining major reservoir of unknown biological diversity on earth. To undestand this vast, but largely unperceived diversity with its untapped genetic, enzymatic and industrial potential, microbial systematics is undergoing a revolutionary change in its approach to describe novel taxa based on genomic/envirogenomic information.
The characterization of an organism is no longer bounded by methodological barriers, and it is now possible to fully sequence the whole genome of a strain to study individual genes, or to examine the genetic information by using different techniques. In fact, application of genomics is helping not only to provide a better understanding of the boundaries of genera and higher levels of classification, but also to refine our definition of the species concept. In addition, increased understanding of phylogeny is allowing to predict the genetic potential of microorganisms for biotechnological applications and adaptation to environmental changes.
The present Research Topic on “Microbial Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Biodiversity” will compile articles covering the use of genomic sequence data in microbial taxonomy and systematics, including evolutionary relatedness of microorganisms; application of comparative genomics in systematic studies; or metagenomic, metatranscriptomic or metaproteomic approaches for biodiversity studies, among others. The final goal of the Research Topic is to provide an updated picture on the utility of the genomic approach on microbial systematics, and to contribute scientific basis for future standardization of taxa descriptions.
The characterization of an organism is no longer bounded by methodological barriers, and it is now possible to fully sequence the whole genome of a strain to study individual genes, or to examine the genetic information by using different techniques. In fact, application of genomics is helping not only to provide a better understanding of the boundaries of genera and higher levels of classification, but also to refine our definition of the species concept. In addition, increased understanding of phylogeny is allowing to predict the genetic potential of microorganisms for biotechnological applications and adaptation to environmental changes.
The present Research Topic on “Microbial Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Biodiversity” will compile articles covering the use of genomic sequence data in microbial taxonomy and systematics, including evolutionary relatedness of microorganisms; application of comparative genomics in systematic studies; or metagenomic, metatranscriptomic or metaproteomic approaches for biodiversity studies, among others. The final goal of the Research Topic is to provide an updated picture on the utility of the genomic approach on microbial systematics, and to contribute scientific basis for future standardization of taxa descriptions.
Keywords: Microbial systematics, taxonomy, phylogeny, biodiversity, metagenomics
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
