Access

Insight

Nature 449, 835-842 (18 October 2007) | doi:10.1038/nature06248; Published online 17 October 2007

Open Innovation Challenges

naturejobs

Review Article Bacterial pathogenomics

Mark J. Pallen1 & Brendan W. Wren2

Top

Genomes from all of the crucial bacterial pathogens of humans, plants and animals have now been sequenced, as have genomes from many of the important commensal, symbiotic and environmental microorganisms. Analysis of these sequences has revealed the forces that shape pathogen evolution and has brought to light unexpected aspects of pathogen biology. The finding that horizontal gene transfer and genome decay have key roles in the evolution of bacterial pathogens was particularly surprising. It has also become evident that even the definitions for 'pathogen' and 'virulence factor' need to be re-evaluated.

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.

NEWS AND VIEWS

Bacterial genomics A plague o' both your hosts

Nature News and Views (04 Oct 2001)

Beyond comparison?antibiotics from genome data?

Nature Biotechnology Research News (01 Dec 2001)