ABSTRACT
Bacterial genomics, in which whole-genome sequence data are generated, interrogated, and explored, has only been possible since 1995. In that year, the first bacterial complete whole-genome sequences became available, and the era of genomics truly began. Previous genomic endeavors had to rely upon incomplete information, gained from techniques such as mapping and mutagenesis, as described in Chapter 10, and short targeted sequencing. Since the first bacterial genome sequences were completed, many thousands of bacterial samples have been sequenced, leading to a new understanding of the genes and sequence features within bacterial species and how they have diverged and evolved over time. This recent history of genomics will be explored in this chapter, highlighting key advances in technologies, discoveries that have been made, and how bacterial genomics has impacted our understanding of bacteria.
