The Microbial World: A Challenging Frontier 2005 · The Microbial World: A Challenging Frontier The...

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13 Genomics:GTL Roadmap, August 2005 Office of Science U.S. Department of Energy The Microbial World: A Challenging Frontier e physical diversity of microbes reflects a commensurate underlying genetic and functional diversity—yielding a broad range of biochemical capabilities that sustain the planet. Diatoms (pictured above) are photosynthetic microorganisms that play a role in global carbon cycling and sequestration. Famous for their wide variety of intricately shaped silica walls, these organisms are abundant in plankton and in marine and freshwater sediments, often being found in fossil deposits. ©Stanley Flegler / Visuals Unlimited genomicsgtl.energy.gov

Transcript of The Microbial World: A Challenging Frontier 2005 · The Microbial World: A Challenging Frontier The...

Page 1: The Microbial World: A Challenging Frontier 2005 · The Microbial World: A Challenging Frontier The physical diversity of microbes reflects a commensurate underlying genetic and

13Genomics:GTL Roadmap, August 2005 Office of Science U.S. Department of Energy

The Microbial World: A Challenging Frontier

The physical diversity of microbes reflects a commensurate underlying genetic and functional diversity—yielding a broad range of biochemical capabilities that sustain the planet. Diatoms (pictured above) are photosynthetic microorganisms that play a role in global carbon cycling and sequestration. Famous for their wide variety of intricately shaped silica walls, these organisms are abundant in plankton and in marine and freshwater sediments, often being found in fossil deposits.

©Stanley Flegler / Visuals Unlimited

genomicsgtl.energy.gov

Page 2: The Microbial World: A Challenging Frontier 2005 · The Microbial World: A Challenging Frontier The physical diversity of microbes reflects a commensurate underlying genetic and

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THE MICROBIAL WORLD

Page 3: The Microbial World: A Challenging Frontier 2005 · The Microbial World: A Challenging Frontier The physical diversity of microbes reflects a commensurate underlying genetic and

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Insights into Lifestyle Diversity