Table of contents
October 2008 Vol 6 No 10
In this issue
p709 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro2010
Research Highlights
Environmental Microbiology: Arsenic in action | PDF (228 KB)
p711 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1995
Antimicrobials: New drugs for an old scourge? | PDF (243 KB)
p712 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro2001
In brief
Antibiotics | RNA | Bacteriophage | PDF (128 KB)
p712 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro2004
Viral pathogenesis: Virus SETs host transcription to off | PDF (142 KB)
p713 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1993
Symbiosis: Follow the scent | PDF (157 KB)
p713 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro2006
Virology: A virus gets a virus | PDF (137 KB)
p714 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro2002
Bacterial Physiology: Energizing the spore coat | PDF (134 KB)
p714 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro2003
Innate Immunity: PIMS knows friends and foes | PDF (144 KB)
p715 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro2007
News and Analysis
Genome watch: Crops and robbers | PDF (205 KB)
p716 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro2005
Disease watch: In the News | PDF (221 KB)
p718 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro2008
Foreword
'Til death do us part': coming to terms with symbiotic relationships
p721 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1990
Focus on: Symbiosis
Reviews
Symbiotic diversity in marine animals: the art of harnessing chemosynthesis
Nicole Dubilier, Claudia Bergin & Christian Lott
p725 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1992
Chemosynthetic symbioses occur in a wide range of ocean habitats, from deep-sea vents and cold seeps to whale falls and shallow-water sediments. This Review reveals the diversity and complexity of these symbioses, some of which include multiple symbiotic partners.
Wolbachia: master manipulators of invertebrate biology
John H. Werren, Laura Baldo & Michael E. Clark
p741 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1969
Wolbachia are symbiotic bacteria that live inside invertebrate host cells and can manipulate host biology in dramatic ways, such as sperm–egg incompatibility, feminization and male killing. This Review focuses on the basic biology of these symbionts and their interaction with a range of host invertebrates.
Symbiotic conversations are revealed under genetic interrogation
Edward G. Ruby
p752 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1958
In this Review, Edward Ruby examines five widely investigated systems that describe the morphology, behaviour, ecology and evolution of symbiotic partners. This descriptive foundation allows the correct questions to be framed in a biologically relevant context.
Arbuscular mycorrhiza: the mother of plant root endosymbioses
Martin Parniske
p763 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1987
Fungi of the phylum Glomeromycota form tree-like structures called arbuscules within plant root cells. The fungi transport water, phosphate, nitrogen and other nutrients to the plant roots, and in return, obtain carbohydrates from the plant. The short arbuscule half-life results in constant renewal and rewiring of the hyphal network and competition between potential fungal partners.
Analysis
Worlds within worlds: evolution of the vertebrate gut microbiota
Ruth E. Ley, Catherine A. Lozupone, Micah Hamady, Rob Knight & Jeffrey I. Gordon
p776 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1978
Ley, Gordon and colleagues have analysed and compared published sequences of bacterial communities from humans with both free-living communities and those that are associated with diverse animals. They conclude that gut-associated microbiotas are profoundly different from other free-living microbiotas, and call for widespread sampling of the human gut microbiota to study how different cultures, lifestyles and technologies are impacting on the biodiversity within these fascinating communities.
Perspective
Essay
Are biologists in 'future shock'? Symbiosis integrates biology across domains
Margaret McFall-Ngai
p789 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1982
New and improved technologies are helping us to detect and characterize symbiotic microorganisms, whereas model symbiosis systems are revealing the molecular basis for partnerships. In this Essay, Margaret McFall-Ngai provides the historical context for the study of symbiosis and discusses the challenges that this emerging field faces.
