The value of comparison.
With the number of published microbial genomes now in excess of 100, any new genome that is sequenced is likely to have a close relative available for comparison. Indeed, it is increasingly difficult to perform any genomic analysis that is not comparative. This should, however, not be seen as a drawback; it is often the case that a large amount of information can be drawn from these comparisons, especially between closely related organisms. Several genome sequences published recently indicate the value of comparisons at the genomic level.
Thomson
Nicholas
N
Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.
Sebaihia
Mohammed
M
Cerdeño-Tárraga
Ana
A
Bentley
Stephen
S
Crossman
Lisa
L
Parkhill
Julian
J
D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D016123:Campylobacter jejuni / Q000235:genetics; D003352:Corynebacterium / Q000235:genetics; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D044923:Helicobacter hepaticus / Q000235:genetics; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000235:genetics; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000235:genetics; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000235:genetics; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000235:genetics; D014774:Virulence