Research Highlights

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.

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.

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

A recent study finds that the re-seeding of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium persister cells into the gut lumen promotes the spread of antibiotic resistance plasmids.

This study determines that the host metabolism of a dietary fatty acid determines the host range of sexual reproduction in Toxoplasma gondii.

The findings of this study suggest that commensal Neisseria species antagonize infection by pathogenic Neisseria species through their DNA, by a mechanism based on genetic competence and DNA methylation state.

Two studies report synthetic genetic circuits for inducible asymmetric cell division that give rise to cellular differentiation in Escherichia coli.

Two studies now provide structural insights into the stator–rotor interaction, stator assembly and stator maintenance of the bacterial flagellum.

The simultaneous, independent emergence of different clades of Candida auris and the high temperature tolerance of the species compared to other fungi has inspired researchers to propose links to climate change.

This study reports the identification and characterization of spindle-shaped viruses that infect a marine ammonia-oxidizing thaumarchaeon and that are distinct from other known marine viruses.

A supercomputing study determines the optimal cell shape of free-swimming bacteria.

Two papers provide novel insights into how Vibrio cholerae colonizes chitin, revealing the role of a type IV pilus and filamentation.

A new study investigates which strategies are effective to mitigate the effects of science denialism.

This study shows that the microbiota associated with farm houses also has a protective effect in non-farm houses as the risk of developing asthma decreases.

The US government is halting funding for fetal tissue research conducted by government scientists.

A recent study reports that Cas13 induces a state of dormancy in bacteria, which inhibits viral replication and the rise of CRISPR-resistant phages.

This study shows that bacteria can maintain efficient chemotaxis in the presence of obstacles by reducing their tumbling frequency.

A recent study reports a force-independent form of flow-sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.