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Microbial genomes are complete sequences of genetic code from microorganisms, which can vary in size and complexity. Researchers can learn about evolutionary history and specific functions by sequencing the genome. Bacteria can carry plasmids, which can complicate analysis. Governments and labs worldwide study microbial genomes for scientific uses, such as environmental cleanup.
A microbial genome is a complete sequence of the genetic code of a given microbio. The size of the genome in microbes can vary considerably; the final size of an organism does not necessarily have a bearing on the size of its genetic code. Microbes have been around for a long time, and as a result, many have very large and complex genomes that contain a wealth of interesting historical and genetic information.
Microbes, also known as microorganisms, are living organisms that are so small that they can only be seen with the help of microscopy. Some examples of microbes include green algae, bacteria, protists, archaea, plankton, and some fungi. These organisms vary widely in complexity, from extremely simple living organisms to much more complex ones. Microbes can be found everywhere and have a number of important biological functions, ranging from participating in the breakdown of organic material to transporting pathogens.
The genome is the complete set of genetic material of any organism. In the case of a microbial genome, it consists of a fully sequenced set of genetic information from a microbe. By completely sequencing the microbial genome, researchers can learn much more about the microbe and what it does. For example, they may be able to trace the organism’s evolutionary history and see where it and others diverged from a common ancestor. Similarly, researchers can begin to learn more about the specific functions of certain DNA sequences by discovering which parts of the genome do what.
With bacteria, microbial genome sequencing is complicated by the fact that many bacteria carry plasmids. A plasmid is a segment of DNA that is not carried on a chromosome. This extrachromosomal DNA can be exchanged between bacteria and can sometimes be integrated into the microbial genome, depending on which organism is involved and the environmental pressure it faces. Analysis of the bacterial genome can include separate analyzes to identify plasmids.
Numerous laboratories around the world carry out research on microbial genomes. Several governments have initiated gene sequencing projects designed to advance knowledge of microbial genomes, in part with the goal of developing scientific uses for microorganisms. For example, sequencing of some bacteria has revealed that they may be useful in environmental cleanup, while understanding how plasmids work has led to the use of genetically engineered plasmids that can be used to insert genetic material into other organisms.
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