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Since the publication of the first two Plasmodium genome sequences in 2002, numerous other parasite genomes have been sequenced. These include the genomes of several more Plasmodium species as well as those of other apicomplexans, including species of Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Babesia, and Eimeria. This wealth of genome sequence data has provided researchers with a powerful new tool, comparative genomics, which has revolutionised research in this area. In this book, expert authors from around the world comprehensively review the current advances in Plasmodium comparative genomics, highlighting the fascinating new insights into parasite evolution and molecular biology that have ensued. Topics include: Plasmodium taxonomy and phylogeny; the apicomplexan genomic landscape; the'art'of sequencing Plasmodium genomes; diversity of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax genomes; Plasmodium functional genomics; Plasmodium experimental genetic crosses; P. falciparum epigenetic modification and transcriptional regulation; Plasmodium invasion of host red blood cells; protein export and trafficking by malaria parasites; Plasmodium-mosquito vector interactions; and a practical guide to many of the revolutionary new techniques and molecular tools for Plasmodium research. The book is essential reading for every researcher working with malaria parasites and related organisms, from the PhD student to the experienced scientist, and is a recommended text for all parasitologists.

The vast explosion of high-resolution molecular data in the past few years has provided an unprecedented glimpse into the microbial world. This book synthesises current viewpoints and knowledge on microbial ecological theory. The editors have assembled a collection of essays by a diverse group of well-respected scientists who merge the boundaries of ecology and microbiology to explore some of the central tenets of macro-ecological theory with a microbial perspective. The contributors explore the mainstays of macro-ecology asking questions such as'do microbes have biogeography?'and'does a microbial species concept exist?', as well as showing how high-resolution molecular data is informing and underpinning the evolution of microbial ecological theory. The authors demonstrate how the application of macro-ecological theory to the microbial world is not only enhancing our understanding of microbial ecology but also providing a reference point for the development of new theories.Written for graduate students and academic researchers, the book aims to encourage cross-disciplinary thinking and provide direction and perspective on the still fledgling field of microbial ecological theory. This volume is highly recommended for all microbiology libraries.

This book outlines the major issues and techniques that have emerged in genomics and bioinformatics over the last few years. It is a book aimed at the advanced reader and presents the most recent and up-to-date applications, technologies and resources. The book opens with an overview of the current state of comparative genomics and an account of the issues involved in the analysis of newly sequenced genomes. Other topics cover the recent methods used in the study of mobile DNA elements, motif finding and the characterization of segments within DNA sequences, theoretical considerations and techniques in the construction and analysis of sequence alignments, and the methods for processing microarray data. Also included is an overview of the computational issues involved in the study of the HIV virus. The last part of the book provides an overview of the resources and technologies aimed to facilitate core genomics research: databases and supercomputing applications, the focus being on emerging technologies such as the interconnecting of resources, the development of meta-databases and data exchange protocols. The book concludes with a review of networking technologies and resources, as well as some of the applications of distributed computing in genomics. An essential book for anyone involved in genomics or bioinformatics.