From genome structure to function: insights into structural variation in microbiology

Structural variation in bacterial genomes is an important evolutionary driver. Genomic rearrangements, such as inversions, duplications, and insertions, can regulate gene expression and promote niche adaptation. Importantly, many of these variations are reversible and preprogrammed to generate heterogeneity. While many tools have been developed to detect structural variation in eukaryotic genomes, variation in bacterial genomes and metagenomes remains understudied. However, recent advances in genome sequencing technology and the development of new bioinformatic pipelines hold promise in further understanding microbial genomics.

Automated summary

Structural variation in bacterial genomes plays a crucial role in bacterial evolution, regulating gene expression and promoting niche adaptation. However, the study of variation in bacterial genomes and metagenomes has been insufficient. Recent advances in genome sequencing technology and the development of new bioinformatic pipelines hold promise in further understanding microbial genomics.