Horizontal Gene Transfer

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events encompass processes as varied as the exchange of genetic material between microbes coexisting in the same environment, between symbiotic bacteria and their eukaryotic hosts, and the evolution of organelles by symbiosis, in which whole genomes are acquired.  In Horizontal Gene Transfer: Genomes in Flux, expert researchers contribute an overview of HGT concepts as well as specific case histories that highlight the most current progress to inspire future work. Divided into three sections, the volume begins with an overview of terminology, concepts and the implications of HGT on current evolutionary thought and philosophy, and continues with methods involving computer and bioinformatics analyses of genomic data as well as molecular biology techniques for identifying, quantifying, and differentiating instances of HGT. A section of case studies follows, which provides detailed accounts of how HGT has shaped evolution across the diversity of organisms and organismal lineages. As a volume of the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series, this work provides the kind of detailed description and implementation advice that is crucial for getting optimal results.

Cutting-edge and thoroughly detailed, Horizontal Gene Transfer: Genomes in Flux examines how HGT has contributed to genome evolution and how understanding HGT impacts our ability to accurately reconstruct and comprehend the web-like evolutionary history in order to aid scientists in furthering their own research.

• Adaptation
• Eukaryota
• bioinformatics
• cyanobacteria
• evolution
• gene expression
• gene transfer
• genes
• microbe
• microbes
• microbiology
• molecular biology

From the reviews:

"The case studies … presented are so well illustrated and convincely debated that the reader is perceiving the impression that we (our genome, the genomes!!) are hosting HGT and surrounded by HGT which are occuring in each second of our life and all throughout the life around us. … I think the book should be suggested not only as a reference text for those involved in this field of research but also to students of the graduate and PhD courses … ." (CarloAlberto Redi, European Journal of Histochemistry, October, 2009)

"The major strength of this book lies in the fundamental concepts that are discussed, in depth, by the chapter’s authors. … this book is suitable for individuals interested in the consequences of HGT … . This book will appeal to graduate students and researchers in molecular biology, bioinformatics and evolutionary biology. An institutional copy is a must, and it would also make an excellent addition to the personal collections of principle investigators/laboratories in the field." (Adam Roberts, Microbiology Today, November, 2009)

• University of Connecticut, Mansfield Center, USA

  Maria Boekels Gogarten

• Dept. Molecular & Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, USA

  Johann Peter Gogarten

• Biology Department, St. Lawrence University, Canton, USA

  Lorraine C. Olendzenski

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