Randall J Olsen1, S Wesley Long, James M Musser. 1. Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, The Methodist Hospital System, Houston, TX 77030, USA. RJOlsen@tmhs.org
Abstract
CONTEXT: Throughout history, technologic advancements have fueled the engine of innovation, which, in turn, has driven discovery. Accordingly, recent advancements in DNA sequencing technology are revolutionizing bacterial genomics. OBJECTIVE: To review important developments from the literature. The current state of bacterial genomics, with an emphasis on human pathogens and the clinical pathology laboratory, will be discussed. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive review was performed of the relevant literature indexed in PubMed (National Library of Medicine) and referenced medical texts. CONCLUSIONS: Many important discoveries bearing on infectious disease research and pathology laboratory practice have been achieved through whole-genome sequencing strategies. Bacterial genomics has improved our understanding of molecular pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, and antibiotic-resistance mechanisms. Bacterial genomics has also facilitated the study of population structures, epidemics and outbreaks, and newly identified pathogens. Many opportunities now exist for clinical pathologists to contribute to bacterial genomics, including in the design of new diagnostic tests, therapeutic agents, and vaccines.
CONTEXT: Throughout history, technologic advancements have fueled the engine of innovation, which, in turn, has driven discovery. Accordingly, recent advancements in DNA sequencing technology are revolutionizing bacterial genomics. OBJECTIVE: To review important developments from the literature. The current state of bacterial genomics, with an emphasis on human pathogens and the clinical pathology laboratory, will be discussed. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive review was performed of the relevant literature indexed in PubMed (National Library of Medicine) and referenced medical texts. CONCLUSIONS: Many important discoveries bearing on infectious disease research and pathology laboratory practice have been achieved through whole-genome sequencing strategies. Bacterial genomics has improved our understanding of molecular pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, and antibiotic-resistance mechanisms. Bacterial genomics has also facilitated the study of population structures, epidemics and outbreaks, and newly identified pathogens. Many opportunities now exist for clinical pathologists to contribute to bacterial genomics, including in the design of new diagnostic tests, therapeutic agents, and vaccines.
Authors: S Wesley Long; Randall J Olsen; Shrenik C Mehta; Timothy Palzkill; Patricia L Cernoch; Katherine K Perez; William L Musick; Adriana E Rosato; James M Musser Journal: Antimicrob Agents Chemother Date: 2014-08-25 Impact factor: 5.191
Authors: Taryn B T Athey; Sarah Teatero; Aimin Li; Alex Marchand-Austin; Bernard W Beall; Nahuel Fittipaldi Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2014-03-19 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: Claudio U Köser; Matthew J Ellington; Edward J P Cartwright; Stephen H Gillespie; Nicholas M Brown; Mark Farrington; Matthew T G Holden; Gordon Dougan; Stephen D Bentley; Julian Parkhill; Sharon J Peacock Journal: PLoS Pathog Date: 2012-08-02 Impact factor: 6.823
Authors: Nahuel Fittipaldi; Gregory J Tyrrell; Donald E Low; Irene Martin; David Lin; Kumar L Hari; James M Musser Journal: Emerg Microbes Infect Date: 2013-03-27 Impact factor: 7.163
Authors: Mette T Christiansen; Amanda C Brown; Samit Kundu; Helena J Tutill; Rachel Williams; Julianne R Brown; Jolyon Holdstock; Martin J Holland; Simon Stevenson; Jayshree Dave; C Y William Tong; Katja Einer-Jensen; Daniel P Depledge; Judith Breuer Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2014-11-12 Impact factor: 3.090