A metagenome is a sequencing sample of a bulk microbial community, providing a genetic snapshot of the entire microbiome sampled. Metagenomics offers a comprehensive genetic overview of microbial communities, without the limitations of culture-based methods. The introduction of the shotgun method of metagenomics has added the ability to quantify the phylogenetic and functional roles of microbes without primer bias. As sequencing becomes more affordable, shotgun metagenomics is becoming an increasingly popular method for assessing microbiomes.This webinar will offer a brief introduction to metagenomics and discuss various concepts and methods used in modern metagenomics. Specifically, we will explore topics such as using microbial composition as an indicator of ecosystem state, using functional genes as biosensors, and the insights that can be gleaned from genomic structure.You may either watch the entire presentation from the introduction or navigate directly to a specific section by clicking the links provided below:IntroductionTowards a planetary microbiomeWhat is a metagenome?Scientific concepts and toolsMetagenome assembled genome (MAG)Metagenomics datasetsUseful toolsQ&A