Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events encompass processes as varied as the exchange of genetic material between microbes coexisting in the same environment, between symbiotic bacteria and their eukaryotic hosts, and the evolution of organelles by symbiosis, in which whole genomes are acquired.

Gene Transfer: Who Benefits?.- Definitions, Philosophy, and Implications of HGT.- Defining the Mobilome.- The Interplay of Homologous Recombination and Horizontal Gene Transfer in Bacterial Speciation.- Epistemological Impacts of Horizontal Gene Transfer on Classification in Microbiology.- Persistence Mechanisms of Conjugative Plasmids.- The Integron/Gene Cassette System: An Active Player in Bacterial Adaptation.- Ancient Gene Transfer as a Tool in Phylogenetic Reconstruction.- The Tree of Life Viewed Through the Contents of Genomes.- Horizontal Gene Transfer and the Evolution of Methanogenic Pathways.- Genome Acquisition in Horizontal Gene Transfer: Symbiogenesis and Macromolecular Sequence Analysis.- Methods.- Detection and Quantitative Assessment of Horizontal Gene Transfer.- Composition-Based Methods to Identify Horizontal Gene Transfer.- Testing Phylogenetic Methods to Identify Horizontal Gene Transfer.- Untangling Hybrid Phylogenetic Signals: Horizontal Gene Transfer and Artifacts of Phylogenetic Reconstruction.- Construction and Use of Flow Cytometry Optimized Plasmid-Sensor Strains.- Experimental Evolution of an Essential Bacillus Gene in an E. coli Host.- Mass Action Models Describing Extant Horizontal Transfer of Plasmids: Inferences and Parameter Sensitivities.- Case Studies.- Interdomain Transfers of Sugar Transporters Overcome Barriers to Gene Expression.- The Role of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Photosynthesis, Oxygen Production, and Oxygen Tolerance.- Horizontal Gene Transfer in Cyanobacterial Signature Genes.- Population Genomics and the Bacterial Species Concept.- A Critique of Prokaryotic Species Concepts.- What Antimicrobial Resistance Has Taught Us About Horizontal Gene Transfer.- Potential for Horizontal Gene Transfer in Microbial Communities of theTerrestrial Subsurface.- Horizontal Gene Transfer and Mobile Genetic Elements in Marine Systems.- Horizontal Gene Transfer in Metal and Radionuclide Contaminated Soils.- Horizontal Gene Transfer Between Microbial Eukaryotes.- Horizontal Gene Transfer in Eukaryotic Parasites: A Case Study of Entamoeba histolytica and Trichomonas vaginalis.- Role of Horizontal Gene Transfer in the Evolution of Photosynthetic Eukaryotes and Their Plastids.- Role of Horizontal Gene Transfer in the Evolution of Plant Parasitism Among Nematodes.

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events encompass processes as varied as the exchange of genetic material between microbes coexisting in the same environment, between symbiotic bacteria and their eukaryotic hosts, and the evolution of organelles by symbiosis, in which whole genomes are acquired.  In Horizontal Gene Transfer: Genomes in Flux, expert researchers contribute an overview of HGT concepts as well as specific case histories that highlight the most current progress to inspire future work. Divided into three sections, the volume begins with an overview of terminology, concepts and the implications of HGT on current evolutionary thought and philosophy, and continues with methods involving computer and bioinformatics analyses of genomic data as well as molecular biology techniques for identifying, quantifying, and differentiating instances of HGT. A section of case studies follows, which provides detailed accounts of how HGT has shaped evolution across the diversity of organisms and organismal lineages. As a volume of the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series, this work provides the kind of detailed description and implementation advice that is crucial for getting optimal results. Cutting-edge and thoroughly detailed, Horizontal Gene Transfer: Genomes in Flux examines how HGT has contributed to genome evolution and how understanding HGT impacts our ability to accurately reconstruct and comprehend the web-like evolutionary history in order to aid scientists in furthering their own research.

From the reviews: "The case studies … presented are so well illustrated and convincely debated that the reader is perceiving the impression that we (our genome, the genomes!!) are hosting HGT and surrounded by HGT which are occuring in each second of our life and all throughout the life around us. … I think the book should be suggested not only as a reference text for those involved in this field of research but also to students of the graduate and PhD courses … ." (CarloAlberto Redi, European Journal of Histochemistry, October, 2009) "The major strength of this book lies in the fundamental concepts that are discussed, in depth, by the chapter’s authors. … this book is suitable for individuals interested in the consequences of HGT … . This book will appeal to graduate students and researchers in molecular biology, bioinformatics and evolutionary biology. An institutional copy is a must, and it would also make an excellent addition to the personal collections of principle investigators/laboratories in the field." (Adam Roberts, Microbiology Today, November, 2009)

Reviews both wetlab and in silico methods for assessing horizontal gene transfer Brings together the often controversial viewpoints on the impact of HGT on the tree of life and microbial speciation Provides an easily accessible reference volume for the current knowledge of the extent and impact of HGT Covers a wide range of HGT detection methods Covers everything from genome based analysis to integron biology and plasmid transfer in biofilms Comprehensive guide to HGT detection and the study of HGT Presents debates on how HGT effects speciation and concepts of microbial speciation Contains contributions by the leading scientists working in the field