The role of environmentally triggered genetic and epigenetic changes in microbial adaptation and evolution is still not broadly appreciated. Brave Genomes: Microbiol Genome Plasticity in the Face of Environmental Challenge narrates how microorganisms cope with environmental changes, including the unanticipated ones. Although it does comprise eukaryotes, it focuses on bacteria and, whenever possible, on archaea. Among the environmentally sensitive sources of genome plasticity, this book covers tandem repeats, mutagenic break repair, transcription-associated mutagenesis, and transposable elements. Additionally, it discusses epigenetic sources, such as DNA methylation and regulatory RNA-based systems. These not only regulate the activity of mobile DNA, they can also synergize with it. In closing, microbial symbioses and genetic noise are also discussed as possible sources of phenotypic plasticity. Brave Genomes: Microbial Genome Plasticity in the Face of Environmental Challenge emphasizes the role of the environment in promoting genotypic and phenotypic diversity, and diversity, in turn, emerges as the most efficient response to challenging conditions.

Key features: Compares environmentally sensitive genetic systems across the three kingdoms of life, Compares environmentally sensitive epigenetic systems across the three kingdoms of life, Brings together insights of illustrious scientists, including Josep Casadesus, Remus Dame, Cedric Feschotte, Eva Jablonka, Eugen Koonin, and William Martin, Treats microbial symbioses and genetic noise as potential sources of phenotypic plasticity and adaptability together with more traditional sources, Offers a straightforward and coherent approach to familiarize biologists with regulated mutagenesis and microbial epigenetics.