ABSTRACT
This chapter will explain the field of bacterial genetics, starting from the terms and concepts particular to the discipline. Genetics is the foundation from which larger investigations, such as those in genomics, can be explored. Also presented are the origins of our understanding of genetics. Some of the key important insights gained by humans into genetics are highlighted here, demonstrating how we have arrived at our current state of understanding in the field. This chapter will begin to explore the genetic tools and techniques that have been used in the laboratory in the past and are still used today to unravel the information contained within DNA. Details on how these technologies work, will be addressed in Chapter 18.
