Editorials in 2024

We look back at this year’s Nature Microbiology content covering the spectrum of microbiology, from fundamental advances to those that aim to tackle pressing concerns facing human health, the environment and the climate.

In this month’s issue, we launch a new Series on best practices: an evolving collection of articles that will expand over time to highlight tools, frameworks and resources that push us towards better microbiology research.

We provide a brief insight into our roles as professional journal editors to facilitate mutually respectful relationships between scientists and editors.

To successfully tackle the current mpox public-health emergency, we must learn from past outbreaks to focus research questions and take collaborative action.

This month’s issue of Nature Microbiology has a focus on microbial ecology, showcasing how these dynamics might be harnessed to better understand and safeguard life on Earth.

To mark World Microbiome Day, we reflect on recent developments in gut microbiome and diet research, including the complexities of this rapidly evolving field and future opportunities.

As antibiotic-resistant infections continue to rise globally, the development and application of phage therapy represents not only a promising but also a mandatory alternative approach to tackle this major public-health threat.

Studying the host response to infection advances our biological and evolutionary understanding, while broadening our capacity to prevent and mitigate infectious diseases.

As the saying goes, sharing is caring — but when it comes to the data underlying primary research papers published at Nature Microbiology, sharing is also mandatory.

In observance of World Water Day, Nature Microbiology calls attention to research avenues that run through freshwater microbiology.

Mentorship can be invaluable to a research career, but more guidance is needed to ensure effective mentor–mentee relationships.