Osteomyelitis is an infection of bone that arises when a pathogen colonizes bone tissue owing to injury or surgery. In this Review, Masters and colleagues explore the microbial pathogenesis, immunity and clinical management of bone infections.

The ocean is home to a diverse and metabolically versatile microbial community that performs the complex biochemical transformations that drive the nitrogen cycle. In this Review, Hutchins and Capone explore the latest developments in our understanding of the role of microorganisms in the marine nitrogen cycle, including new taxa, pathways, methods and concepts. They also discuss opportunities to understand and better predict the effects of humans and global change.

We take up a multitude of foreign substances, so called xenobiotics, such as medications, food additives and pollutants, which affect the composition and function of the gut microbiota. In this Review, Lindell, Zimmermann-Kogadeeva and Patil discuss these reciprocal interactions and their mechanisms.

A recent study uncovered the geographical origins of the Black Death pandemic, offering a new perspective on the phylogenetic polytomy that served as a foundation for the expansion of Yersinia pestis across Eurasia and North Africa more than 600 years ago.

This study finds that toxin–antitoxin systems can protect bacteria from phages by inducing abortive infection.

A study with honey bee larvae shows that a bacterial symbiont can protect them from nutritional stress.

A microfluidics study shows that bacterial biofilms form wrinkles when they grow and detach from a solid surface.

Two recent studies highlight the potential of broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies for the long-term control of HIV in the absence of antiretroviral therapy.

A single-cell microfluidics study shows that phenotypic heterogeneity and fast growth can reduce antibiotic susceptibility.