Metagenomics: Perspectives, Methods, and Applications, Second Edition provides thorough coverage of the growing field of metagenomics. Chapters from international experts examine methods for metagenomic analysis of microbiota, metagenomic computational tools, and recent metagenomic studies in various environments and clinical settings. This emphasis on applications makes the text particularly useful for applied researchers, practitioners, clinicians and students seeking to employ metagenomic approaches to advance knowledge in the biomedical and life sciences. Case-study based application chapters include topics ranging from viral metagenome profiling, metagenomics in oral disease and health, metagenomic insights into the human gut microbiome and metabolic syndromes, and more. This new edition has been fully updated to address the rapid growth and development of metagenomics applications that are discussed by experts who detail recent developments and fresh case studies. Newly added chapters instruct in methods and implications of metagenomics in areas of growing focus, such as microbiome research, clinical diagnosis, metagenomic epidemiology, wildlife conservation, zoonotic diseases and plant microbe interaction.