Genomics and Bacterial Metabolism

Diana M Downs

doi:10.21775/cimb.005.017

Abstract

The field of bacterial metabolism and physiology is arguably the oldest in microbiology. Much of our understanding of biological processes and molecular paradigms has its roots In early studies of prokaryotic physiology. After a period of declining interest in metabolic studies (prompted by the insurgence of molecular techniques), genomic technologies are revitalizing the study of bacterial metabolism and physiology. These new technologies bring a means to approach metabolic questions with a global perspective. When used in combination with classical and molecular techniques, emerging global technologies will make it feasible to understand the complex integration of metabolic processes that result in an efficient physiology. At the same time, without increased computational capabilities, the massive amounts of data generated by these technologies threaten to overwhelm, rather than facilitate, this work. For genomic technologies to reach their potential for increasing our understanding of bacterial metabolism, microbiologists must become more collaborative and multidisciplinary than at any time in our history.

Highlights

At the core of any living cell is metabolism, the sum total of all the biochemical processes contributing to cell function
When the data analyses from global technologies generate new hypotheses and force old dogmas to be questioned, it provides a healthy infusion into the field of bacterial metabolism and physiology (Gonzalez et al, 2002; Rhodius et al, 2002; Wassarman et al, 2001)
It has long been recognized that the cell was comprised of many integrated metabolic pathways and processes

Summary

Introduction

At the core of any living cell is metabolism, the sum total of all the biochemical processes contributing to cell function. When the data analyses from global technologies generate new hypotheses and force old dogmas to be questioned, it provides a healthy infusion into the field of bacterial metabolism and physiology (Gonzalez et al, 2002; Rhodius et al, 2002; Wassarman et al, 2001). Without question these studies have opened new and exciting directions for research in our efforts to understand gene function and the complexities of bacterial metabolism.

Results

Conclusion