Question

How can information gained from studying microbial genomes be used in microbial biotechnology? Provide three examples. What is metagenomics? In your answer provide an example of why metagenomics projects can be valuable.

Answer 1

Microbial genomes encompasses all chromosomal and extrachromosomal genetic material, they are widely variable and reflect the enormous diversity of bacteria, arches, and lower eukaryotes. The study of microbial genomics in microbial biotechnology also important to understand the evolution of bacteria.

We can study microbial genomics by using PFGE as similar to gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing allowing us to amass vast amounts of genetic data form our organisms of choice, bioinformatics required to derive useful information about the data. microbial biotechnology has been used immensly examples are improving yeast performance in the fermentation process, number of enzyme preparations of microbial origin evaluated in food processing, in agricultural fields endotoxins are produced like CRY and CYT as best known as pesticides, in pharmaceutical industry producing antibiotics.

Metagenomics is the study of genetic material recovered directly fro environmental samples. metagenomics provides complex ecological interactions including lateral gene transfer, phage host dynamics, and metabolic complementation and studied with the lens of metagenomics so in this way it is a valuable to project. It can be used to solve practical challenges in medicine, engineering, agriculture, etc. One of the most important examples is biofuels derived from biomass conversion. Metagenomics approaches allow comparative analysis between convergent microbial systems like biogas fermenters or insect herbivores such as the fungus garden of the leafcutter ants.