Organism Transcriptomics

Transcriptomics, a fundamental area within molecular genetics, focuses on the abundance and profile of RNA transcripts within a given cell, and how changes in their expression govern the complex cellular activities that maintain equilibrium and enable adaptation to fluctuating environmental conditions. Technological improvements to RNA-Seq sensitivity and throughput generated the capacity to profile whole transcriptomes of individual cells that have revolutionized the resolution and information of biological systems. The chapter discusses applications of these technologies to pathogen transcriptomics and how they advance our understanding of infection. During early infection, bacterial pathogens must sense and adaptively respond to the host environmental cues by altering their gene expression to enhance virulence, modulating metabolic pathways to utilize available resources, or evading host immune surveillance mechanisms. The current antibiotic resistance crisis necessitates the development of improved and accurate diagnostic methods that go beyond relying solely on growth rates and inhibition on selective media.