Articles in 2019

This study identifies a role for members of the endophytic root microbiome and their functional traits in plant protection from the fungal root pathogen Rhizoctonia solani.

A recent study reveals a sequence of molecular events that led to the origin of the most lethal malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum in humans.

Microbiome research has attracted considerable attention, partially because of the potential to manipulate the microbiome for human health. To fulfil this promise, tractable methods and cautious interpretation of results are needed.

Meningococcal disease remains an important cause of morbidity and death worldwide despite the development and increasing implementation of effective vaccines. In this Review, Caugant and Brynildsrud discuss how high-throughput sequencing approaches have advanced our understanding of the diversity and evolution of Neisseria meningitidis and the pathogenesis of N. meningitidis infection and how they are helping to explain the epidemiology of meningococcal disease.

In this Perspective article, Bernheim and Sorek present the ‘pan-immune system’ model in which bacteria employ horizontal gene transfer to access immune defence mechanisms encoded by closely related strains, and conclude by discussing the implications on the evolution of anti-defence strategies in phages.

In this Review, Coleman and colleagues discuss recent advances in understanding the biogeochemical impact of viruses, focusing on how metabolic reprogramming of host cells during viral infection alters the flow of energy and nutrients in aquatic ecosystems.

This month’s Under the Lens explores how recent developments in sample preparation are aiding and advancing the imaging of host–microorganism interactions.

A recent study finds that probiotic yeasts can inhibit virulence of several non-albicans Candida species, including mutidrug-resistant Candida auris.

This study observed that the functional diversity of core and accessory genes in the soil microbiome are governed by distinct processes.

This study finds that gut segmented filamentous bacteria prevent and cure rotavirus infection in immunodeficient mice.

This study reports the feasibility of vaginal microbiome transplantation from healthy donors as treatment for patients suffering from symptomatic, intractable and recurrent bacterial vaginosis.

A study reports the generation of synthetic ‘phagebodies’ with a broadened host range that were able to target naturally occurring phage-resistant bacterial mutants.

This study shows that sublethal doses of ciprofloxacin enhanced aggregation of bacterial cells, which resulted in their increased expulsion from the gut by the mechanical activity of the intestine.

Three recent studies highlight how the gut microbiome responds to dietary change, with potential consequences for host–microbiota interactions.

This study links a histone deacetylase and the gut microbiota to the circadian regulation of host metabolism.

In this Review, Jansson and Hofmockel explore the impacts of climate change on soil microorganisms in different climate-sensitive soil ecosystems and the potential ways that soil microorganisms can be harnessed to help mitigate the negative consequences of climate change.

Going from description of the diversity and disease associations of the human gut microbiota towards functional understanding and applications is challenging. In this Review, Raes and colleagues present synthetic ecology approaches that reduce the complexity and advance translation of human gut microbiota research.

This study explores the response of the gut microbiota to dietary fibres and presents new biosensors that can measure microbial fibre use in vivo.

This month’s Genome Watch highlights a large-scale sequencing project that enriches our understanding of yeast evolution and diversity.