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MicroBinfie Podcast, 70 Bacterial Taxonomy the grand vista is ahead of us

Released on December 17, 2021

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Bacterial Taxonomy and the Impact of Genomics

In our ongoing series on bacterial taxonomy, we explore how genomics has revolutionized this field. Joining us for this discussion are:

  • Professor Phil Hugenholtz
  • Professor Iain Sutcliffe
  • Professor Mark Pallen

Discussion Highlights

Genomics has significantly altered the framework of bacterial taxonomy by:

  1. Refining Phylogenetic Relationships: Genomics allows for more precise phylogenetic trees based on DNA sequences rather than solely on phenotypic characteristics.

  2. Discovering New Lineages: The ability to sequence genomes quickly and affordably has led to the discovery of previously unknown bacterial lineages.

  3. Clarifying Species Concepts: Genomic data has helped clarify what constitutes a bacterial species, challenging many traditional concepts.

Learning More

For a deeper dive into the impact of genomics on bacterial taxonomy, you can refer to our selective bibliography compiled by the experts in this discussion.

This bibliography provides a curated list of seminal papers and resources that explore the intersection of genomics and bacterial taxonomy.

Episode 70 transcript