E. coli are discussed throughout the book, many other microbial systems are introduced in order to show the breadth and diversity of the discipline of bacterial genetics. Chapters are pedagogically constructed and end with a review of key concepts, a set of discussion questions, a set of problems for exercise and testing assignments, and answers to the questions. An end of book glossary reviews all of the key terms found in the text. This book, extensively reviewed and class tested by instructors over the past four years, serves as an important text for all courses in bacterial and microbial genetics. TABLE OF CONTENTS: Introduction The Biological Universe What Is Genetics? Bacterial Genetics Phage Genetics A Brief History of Bacterial Molecular Genetics What's Ahead? Genes: Replication and Expression Introduction to Macromolecular Synthesis: Chromosome Structure and Replication Introduction to Macromolecular Synthesis: Gene Expression Genes and Genetic Elements Mutations in Bacteria Plasmids Conjugation Transformation Bacteriophages Transposition and Nonhomologous Recombination Genes in Action Molecular Basis of Recombination DNA Repair and Mutagenesis Regulation of Gene Expression Global Regulatory Mechanisms Genes in Practice Genetic Analysis in Phage Genetic Analysis in Bacteria Recombinant DNA Techniques and Cloning Bacterial Genes Molecular Genetic Analysis and Biotechnology