 The term ‘metagenomics’ was first coined in 1998 (Handelsman et al. 1998). The prefix ‘meta’ in ‘metagenomics’ can be read in at least three different ways (O’Malley 2013): 1) As referring to the fact that metagenomics transcends culturing limitations. 2) As emphasising the aggregate-level approach to biology that characterises metagenomics (looking beyond single entities (cells or genomes)). And 3) as referring to the goal of creating an overarching understanding of the genomic diversity of the microbial realm.