Population genetics: the next stop for microbial ecologists? |
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Authors: | Ramiro Logares |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan;(2) Research Institute, Tamagawa University, Tamagawagakuen, Machida-shi Tokyo, 194-8610, Japan;(3) Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Tamagawa University, Tamagawagakuen, Machida-shi Tokyo, 194-8610, Japan; |
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Abstract: | Microbes play key roles in the functioning of the biosphere. Still, our knowledge about their total diversity is very limited.
In particular, we lack a clear understanding of the evolutionary dynamics occurring within their populations (i.e. among members of the same biological species). Unlike animals and plants, microbes normally have huge population sizes, high
reproductive rates and the potential for unrestricted dispersal. As a consequence, the knowledge of population genetics acquired
from studying animals and plants cannot be applied without extensive testing to microbes. Next generation molecular tools,
like High Throughput Sequencing (e.g. 454 and Illumina) coupled to Single Cell Genomics, now allow investigating microbial
populations at a very fine scale. Such techniques have the potential to shed light on several ecological and evolutionary
processes occurring within microbial populations that so far have remained hidden. Furthermore, they may facilitate the identification
of microbial species. Eventually, we may find an answer to the question of whether microbes and multicellular organisms follow
the same or different rules in their population diversification patterns. |
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