Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain
the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in
Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles
and JavaScript.
Symbiosis refers to the partnership (usually long-term) that is established between two or more organisms. In microbiology, symbiotic relationships are often established between a microorganism and its host, and the partnership can be mutualistic or parasitic.
This study provides insights into the functional roles of microbial symbionts within the reef-building coral Acropora kenti. The findings reveal molecular mechanisms underpinning coral health and adaptation to local environmental stressors, which may support host resilience in the face of anthropogenic climate change and pollution.
A stable isotope study reveals that complete nitrogen cycling takes place on the leaves of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica. Ocean acidification influences nitrogen gain and loss, while the structure of the epiphytic microbial community remains largely unaffected.
This month’s Genome Watch discusses the application of spatial transcriptomics to investigate the arrangements of microbial communities and their effects on the host.
Philip Poole narrates his career story and his motivations for studying rhizobia, the agriculturally important bacterial plant symbiont responsible for fixing nitrogen.
Metabolomics and feeding experiments demonstrate the host’s active role in sharing organic acids with a gut microbiota member, revealing host–microbe interactions that foster symbiosis.