Revolutionizing Prokaryotic Systematics Through Next-Generation Sequencing

Next-generation sequencing has revolutionized modern research in all life sciences. It has been applied in studying evolution, global transmission and local adaptation of pathogens, microbial ecology, genetics and physiology. In this chapter, we have provided a brief summary of recent advances in sequencing technologies and easy to use bioinformatic tools to analyse sequence data, with a focus on prokaryotic biology. We have emphasized the importance of routinely applying whole genome sequencing in prokaryotic systematics, evolution, genotyping and functional characterization