📘 New Book Alert!
In this fascinating interview, we sit down with Dr. Aswin Sai Narain Seshasayee, faculty member at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, to explore his newly released book “Bacterial Genomes: Trees and Networks.” The conversation spans from his academic journey to the inspiration and vision behind the book, diving into concepts like bacterial evolution, horizontal gene transfer, regulatory networks, and why historical context is vital in modern genomics.
🌟 What makes this book different from typical genomic textbooks?
🌱 Why are “trees” and “networks” such powerful metaphors for understanding bacterial life?
📖 How can undergraduates and young researchers benefit from a concept-driven approach?
Whether you’re a student, scientist, or science enthusiast, this video will reshape how you think about microbiology and genome evolution.
🔗 Watch till the end for inspiring insights on curiosity, scientific process, and the joy of lifelong learning.
Link: https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0446
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🎙️ About the Author
Prof. Aswin is a faculty member at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, part of TIFR. His lab uses computational methods and genomic data to study bacterial adaptation and evolution. He holds a B.Tech in Biotechnology from Chennai and a PhD from Cambridge.
📘 Why This Book?
- Motivation: Written post-COVID, inspired by a review from microbiologist Roberto Kolter, who emphasized a unified microbiology approach—one that blends ecology, evolution, and molecular mechanisms.
- Gap: Current genomics education is heavily technique-driven. The book aims to reconnect with core biological concepts and history.
🌳 Why “Trees and Networks”?
- Trees: Represent evolutionary divergence from a common ancestor—classic Darwinian view.
- Networks: Twofold meaning:
- Horizontal gene transfer in bacteria, connecting unrelated species.
- Regulatory networks that govern gene expression within a cell.
🕰️ Importance of Historical Perspective
- Rapid advances in sequencing overshadow the slow-evolving foundational concepts.
- History offers insight into how microbial biology developed over centuries, emphasizing curiosity and deep thinking over instant results.
- Helps students value the process of science.
📚 How is it Different from Regular Textbooks?
- Concept-driven, not just technique-focused.
- Avoids jargon; brings a philosophical and reflective angle.
- Designed for undergrads and early researchers to spark curiosity about basic questions in microbiology, beyond disease and resistance.
🧠 What Should Readers Take Away?
- Bacteria are fascinating beyond pathology.
- Emphasizes asking fundamental questions over chasing trendy technologies.
- Encourages readers to appreciate regulatory networks, genome evolution, and microbial ecology.
💬 Challenges in Writing
- Simplifying without oversimplifying.
- Letting go of too much detail to make the book accessible yet insightful.
- Balancing depth with clarity for readers at early stages of their career.
🧬 Does the Book Touch on Modern Issues Like AMR?
- Yes. It explores antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as part of bacterial adaptation and genome dynamics.
✨ Final Thought
Prof. Aswin emphasizes that conceptual understanding, historical awareness, and curiosity are essential to doing impactful science, especially in a fast-evolving field like genomics.
📘 Book Review Q&A: “Bacterial Genomes: Trees and Networks”
Author: Prof. Aswin Sai Narain Seshasayee
Host: Virender Singh, Founder, BioPatrika & SciKonnect
Q1. Can you tell us a bit about your academic background and current research focus?
I’m a faculty member at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, under TIFR. My lab studies bacterial adaptation and genome evolution, using computational methods to analyze large genomic datasets. I did my B.Tech in Biotechnology from Chennai and a PhD in Cambridge at the European Bioinformatics Institute. I joined NCBS in 2010 and have been here since.
Q2. What inspired you to write this book, Bacterial Genomes: Trees and Networks?
After COVID, with some time on hand and transitions in the lab, I wanted to explore new directions. I came across a review by Roberto Kolter, which emphasized the fragmentation of microbiology into silos like molecular and medical microbiology. My work—blending bacterial ecology and molecular evolution—felt like a natural fit to bring these threads together. I also felt genomics teaching had become overly technical, often missing the core biology. Writing this book was a way to reconnect with that foundation and offer something new.
Q3. The title includes “Trees and Networks.” Can you explain the metaphor and its significance in bacterial genomics?
Absolutely. “Trees” symbolize the classic view of evolution—divergence from common ancestors, forming a tree-like structure. “Networks” come in at two levels. First, gene regulatory networks that control bacterial responses via transcription factors. Second, horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between unrelated bacteria overlays a network onto the evolutionary tree. These two interpretations—regulatory and evolutionary—are central to understanding bacterial genome dynamics.
Q4. Why did you choose to include a historical perspective in this book?
Today, molecular biology advances rapidly, especially sequencing tech. But while tools change fast, fundamental concepts evolve slowly. To avoid reducing genomics education to just techniques, I wanted to emphasize how ideas have developed over centuries—from early microscopy to the present genomic era. Understanding that long arc encourages deeper thinking and appreciation of the scientific process.
Q5. What makes this book different from traditional genomic textbooks used in universities?
Most textbooks focus heavily on techniques and technologies. This book is concept-driven. It emphasizes evolutionary thinking, regulatory logic, and systems biology rather than step-by-step protocols. It’s about understanding why things are done, not just how.
Q6. What do you hope undergraduate or early-career readers will take away from the book?
I hope they realize microbiology isn’t just about diseases or antibiotic resistance. There’s elegance in basic questions—like how bacteria sense and adapt to their environment. Also, I hope they internalize the idea that in science, the process is often more important than the outcome. Deep understanding and curiosity-driven exploration are what this book tries to foster.
Q7. Was it challenging to keep the book both simple and informative?
Surprisingly, not at this stage of my career. Earlier, I might have focused too much on details, but now I appreciate the value of stepping back and thinking more philosophically. I aimed to minimize jargon and keep it accessible—like how undergrads would think—while still retaining scientific depth.
Q8. Does the book touch on modern challenges like antibiotic resistance?
Yes, though the book focuses on fundamental evolutionary and regulatory principles, it definitely connects to current issues like antimicrobial resistance. Understanding bacterial genomes—how they change and regulate themselves—is crucial to addressing modern microbial threats.
Q9. Any closing thoughts on your journey writing this book or where you’re headed next?
Writing the book was a deeply reflective experience. Reading older literature, stepping out of my comfort zone, and seeing science through historical lenses was rewarding. As for the future—who knows! Hopefully, more books and deeper insights in the next 20 years.
🔗 Read the book online: Bacterial Genomes: Trees and Networks
