Evolution of the Bacterial Genome

Until recently relatively few studies have been aimed directly at the subject of evolution of the bacterial genome, no doubt for the very good reason that the means to address relevant questions have not been at hand. We hope to show that this situation is beginning to change. We are reaching new understandings on mechanisms of gene duplications, chromosome rear­ rangements, and plasmid-promoted genetic exchange; more information is continually being amassed on new bacterial genes, on their map locations,