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The journey to understand previously unknown microbial genes

The analysis of DNA sequences sheds light on microbial biology, but it is difficult to assess the function of genes that have little or no similarity to characterized genes. Here, scientists discuss this challenge from genomic and microbial perspectives.
By
  1. Jakob Wirbel

    1. Jakob Wirbel is in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA.

  2. Ami S. Bhatt

    1. Ami S. Bhatt is in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA, and in the Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine.

  3. Alexander J. Probst

    1. Alexander J. Probst is in the Research Center One Health Ruhr, University Alliance Ruhr, Department of Chemistry at University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, 45141, Germany.

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Nature 626, 267-269 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-00077-w

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Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

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