Pathogenomics

Pathogen infections are among the leading causes of infirmity and mortality among humans and other animals in the world. Until recently, it has been difficult to compile information to understand the generation of pathogen virulence factors as well as pathogen behavior in a host environment. The study of pathogenomics attempts to utilize genomic and metagenomics data gathered from high through-put technologies (e.g. sequencing or DNA microarrays), to understand microbe diversity and interaction as well as host-microbe interactions involved in disease states. The bulk of pathogenomics research concerns itself with pathogens that affect human health; however, studies also exist for plant and animal infecting microbes.