Metagenomics for Microbiology

Metagenomics for Microbiology, 2nd Edition, functions as an academic textbook for studying microbial communities and consortia. Authored by Jacques Izard and Maria C. Rivera, this volume guides graduate students, clinical microbiologists, and biostatisticians through fundamental principles of microbiome research. The text connects sequencing concepts to data production, helping readers interpret biological variation across natural and clinical settings.

The thematic progression moves from basic experimental design to specialized omics investigations. Specific chapters address biosurveillance of diseases alongside biodefense applications, demonstrating how sequence workflows detect pathogens. The text also details ribosomal RNA depletion methods applied in microbial transcriptomics. Additionally, readers review multiomics approaches integrated into metagenomics research to assess ecosystem functionality and host health.

This second edition introduces over five new chapters that update analytical pathways. The structure aids environmental microbiologists, infectious disease experts, public health scientists, and new researchers seeking practical grounding in omics workflows.