Prokaryotic diversity : mechanisms and significance : Sixty-Sixth Symposium of the Society for General Microbiology held at the University of Warwick, April 2006 / edited by N.A. Logan, H.M. Lappin-Scott & P.C.F. Oyston.

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Microbial diversity in the era of genomics / R.R. Colwell -- Patterns in prokaryotic biodiversity / M.C. Horner-Devine, J. Green, B.J.M. Bohannan -- A putative RNA-interference-based immune system in prokaryotes : the epitome of prokaryotic genomic diversity / E.V. Koonin and others] -- The significance of prokaryote diversity in the human gastrointestinal tract / H.J. Flint -- The genetics of phenotypic innovation / H.J.E. Beaumont [and others] -- Minimal genomes required for life / R. Gil, V. Perez-Brocal, A. Latorre, A. Moya -- Evolution of the core of genes / V. Daubin, E. Lerat -- Biogeographical diversity of archaeal viruses / K.M. Stedman, A. Clore, Y. Combet-Blanc -- Is there a link between chlamydia and heart disease? / L.A. Campbell, C.-C. Kuo -- Unculturable oral bacteria / W.G. Wade -- Comparative genomics -- what do such studies tell us about the emergence and spread of key pathogens? / R.W. Titball, M. Duffield -- Spread of genomic islands between clinical and environmental strains / J. Klockgether, O.N. Reva, B. Tümmler -- Evolving gene clusters in soil bacteria / A. Morningstar [and others] -- Unusual micro-organisms from unusual habitats : hypersaline environments / A. Ventosa -- Genomic islands and evolution of catabolic pathways / S. Lacour, M. Gaillard, J.R. van der Meer -- Horizontal gene transfer and its role in the emergence of new phenotypes / A.M. Osborn.

The true extent of prokaryote diversity, encompassing the spectrum of variability among bacteria, remains unknown. Current research efforts focus on understanding why prokaryote diversification occurs, its underlying mechanisms, and its likely impact. The dynamic nature of the prokaryotic world, and continuing advances in the technological tools available make this an important area and hence this book will appeal to a wide variety of microbiologists. Its coverage ranges from studies of prokaryotes in specialized environmental niches to broad examinations of prokaryote evolution and diversity, and the mechanisms underlying them. Topics include: bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract, unculturable organisms in the mouth and in the soil, organisms from extreme environments, the diversity of archaea and their phages, comparative genomics and the emergence of pathogens, the spread of genomic islands between clinical and environmental organisms, minimal genomes needed for life, horizontal gene transfer, phenotypic innovation, and patterns and extent of biodiversity.