Genomics for the ecological toolbox

Genomics technologies have expanded the types of question that can be addressed in human genetics and health and in fields such as ecology. Genome-scale approaches provide ways to examine physiological changes that occur when a pathogen invades a host, the response of an organism to a change in its environment, and the way in which changes in the microbial community affect ecosystem function. Here, we examine successful applications of genomics to ecological science to date and describe ways that classic ecological research disciplines might benefit from genomic approaches. We also address some of the challenges of using this methodology, and discuss how ecological researchers embracing these approaches enhance its effectiveness in applications such as gene hunting and gene expression analysis.