The new science of metagenomics revealing the secrets of our microbial planet washington dc the national academies press doi 1017226 11902 revealing the secrets of our microbial planet committee on metagenomics challenges and functional applications board on life sciences division on earth and life studies. Understanding our microbial planet the new science of metagenomics humankind has benefited enormously from the study of microbes since their discovery in the 17th century however such benefits have come from the study of just a miniscule fraction of the millions of species of microbes in the environment. The new science of metagenomics revealing the secrets of our microbial planet 1st edition by national research council author division on earth and life studies author board on life sciences author committee on metagenomics challenges and functional applications author 1 more. The new science of metagenomics revealing the secrets of our microbial planet. The new science of metagenomics revealing the secrets of our microbial planet national research council us committee on metagenomics challenges and functional applications washington dc national academies press us 2007 the national academies collection reports funded by national institutes of health the scope of metagenomics is vast