ABSTRACT
The omnipresence of microorganisms makes it important for us to discern the genetics and mechanisms of them. Genetic manipulation acts as a tool for exploring gene functions, molecular relationships, and the global organization of microbes at the gene, pathway, and genome levels. The techniques such as mutagenesis, gene cloning, vector development, transfection, conjugation, protoplast fusion, and CRISPR-based genomic tools have been used in genetic manipulation of microorganisms. These involve addition, deletion, or modification of certain sets of genes, altering certain functions, and properties of microbes. The processes not only provide assistance in understanding genomic organization of microbes but additionally helps in strain improvement, production of novel products useful in medicine, agriculture, commerce, and industry, and drive the development of future biotechnological applications. This chapter sheds light on various methods and mechanisms that serve to satisfy the goal of transfer of desirable traits from another organism, even from different genera, into the model microbe.
