Next Generation Sequencing and Microbial Ecology is a very timely and succinct compilation of the current developments in nucleic acid sequencing methods and their applications especially in helping understand microbial interaction and their form, community structure and function in various biotic communities. The book introduces the readers to different methods of sequencing DNA - from conventional to next generation sequencing, and discussing invariably the limitation and advantages of each of these methods, with respect to microbial ecology studies. The book highlights several gene families which have been favourably taken up in the recent past for the purpose of dissecting the communities and their possible roles. In this book, we also discuss some very novel aspects of microbial ecology, like “the metagenomics approach”, which scientist have been able to work out mainly by culture independent approaches. We will highlight how this is helping us understand the structural and functional aspect i.e., “who is out there” and “what they are doing” in a number of different environments and the ecological significance of these aspects.

We hope that the book will be useful for students, researchers and teachers as a reference for choosing an appropriate sequencing approach, with respect to the gene family and analytical methods for studying microbes and their role in a community/ecosystem. Suggestions for improving the book are cordially invited.