Microbial Diversity in the Genomic Era: Functional Diversity and Community Analysis

Microbial Diversity in the Genomic Era: Functional Diversity and Community Analysis, Second Edition presents techniques used for microbial taxonomy and phylogeny, along with their applications and respective strengths and challenges. The book incorporates recently developed biosystematics methods and approaches to assess microbial taxonomy, with suitable recommendations for where to apply them across the range of bacterial identification and infectious disease research. Sections provide a broad overview of microbial genomics research and microbiome directed medicine and update on molecular tools for microbial diversity research, extremophilic microbial diversity, functional microbial diversity across application areas, microbial diversity and infectious disease research, and future directions. Step-by-step methodologies are provided for key techniques, along with applied case studies that break down recent research studies into practical components, thus illuminating pathways for new studies across the field.

• Instructs in techniques used for microbial taxonomy and phylogeny, with discussions of their applications and respective pros and cons
• Reviews the evolving field of microbial typing and the genomic technologies that enable comparative metagenomic analysis of complex microbial environments
• Covers microbiome directed translational research, as well as whole genome sequencing for studying microbial diversity, with newly added research protocols and case studies
• Reviews future applications in the field of microbiome directed medicine
• Features chapter contributions from global experts in the field

Surajit Das, PhD, is Professor in the Department of Life Science at the National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India. He received his PhD in Marine Biology with specialization in marine microbiology from Annamalai University, India, and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Tasmania, Australia, as an Endeavour Research Fellow. His research focuses on environmental biotechnology, marine microbiology, microbial biofilms, bioremediation, wastewater treatment, biodiversity, and microbial ecology, with particular emphasis on the diversity, ecology, and functional applications of marine microorganisms. He leads externally funded research projects on microbial biofilms, environmental remediation, and sustainable biotechnology, and has supervised numerous doctoral researchers. He also serves on national and international scientific committees and editorial boards, including roles as Academic Editor of PLOS One and Associate Editor of BMC Microbiology.

Hirak Ranjan Dash, PhD, is Associate Professor and Associate Dean at Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM), Bhubaneswar, India. He received his PhD in Life Science from National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India, and previously served as Scientific Officer (DNA) at the Forensic Science Laboratory, Madhya Pradesh, where he was involved in forensic DNA casework and research. His research focuses on forensic biotechnology, forensic DNA analysis, population genetics, forensic microbiology, DNA fingerprinting, and next-generation sequencing. He has authored and edited several books in forensic genetics, DNA profiling, and forensic biology, and holds Indian patents related to forensic DNA technologies. He supervises doctoral research and is actively engaged in teaching, research, and academic leadership. His professional memberships include the International Society for Forensic Genetics, the Association of Microbiologists of India, and the Asian Federation of Biotechnology.