Metagenomics of the Human Body introduces readers to the major findings from the human genome project and at the same time presents the crossover to the human metagenome/microbiome, which we are only starting to understand through the advent of newly emerging technologies and other developments. The book brings a new perspective by combining the information gained from the human genome with that derived from parallel metagenomic studies, and new results from investigating the effects of these microbes on the host immune system. As the field of metagenomics continues to evolve, Metagenomics of the Human Body brings together leaders in the field and their unique perspectives on this topic. The authors focus on the human genome and recent developments in the fields of microbial ecology and metagenomics of the microbial species that are associated with the human body. They also discuss the enormous implications for health and disease. Metagenomics of the Human Body is ideal for scientists, clinicians, community activists, undergraduate and graduate level students, as well as ethical and legal groups associated with or interested in the issues surrounding the human genome. About the Editor Dr. Karen E. Nelson is the Director of the Rockville Campus of the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) where she has been for the past 14 years. She was formerly the Director of Human Microbiology and Metagenomics in the Department of Human Genomic Medicine at the JCVI. She has authored or co-authored over 100 publications, and is currently Editor-in-Chief of the Springer journal Microbial Ecology. She is also a standing member of the NRC Committee on Biodefense, a member of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Communications Committee and a Fellow of the ASM.