In situ architecture of plasmodesmata in Physcomitrium patens resolved by cryo-electron tomography - Nature Plants

Using cryo-electron tomography, the authors reveal how plasmodesmata (plant cytoplasmic bridges) are gated by cell wall remodelling and how helical protein assemblies scaffold internal membranes, with...

nature.com

Artificial soil (ArtSoil): Recreating soil conditions in synthetic plant growth media

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onlinelibrary.wiley.com

PNAS

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...

doi.org

biorxiv.org

New genomic techniques: deal to support the green transition in farming | News | European Parliament

The new rules will make the EU food system more secure and sustainable, with climate- and pest-resistant plants that give higher yields and require fewer fertilisers and pesticides.

europarl.europa.eu

Metagenomic editing of commensal bacteria in vivo using CRISPR-associated transposases

Although metagenomic sequencing has revealed a rich microbial biodiversity in the mammalian gut, methods to genetically alter specific species in the microbiome are highly limited. Here, we introduce ...

science.org

Strain displacement in microbiomes via ecological competition - Nature Microbiology

Mathematical modelling and experimental tests reveal principles that govern displacement of a resident strain by an invader in microbial communities.

nature.com

Ensuring effective removal of transgenes before release of genome-edited crops - Nature Biotechnology

Genome editing technology is evolving fast, and many labs worldwide are generating crop plants with improved traits. If transgenes were used to generate the edits, foreign DNA must be effectively remo...

go.nature.com

Ensuring effective removal of transgenes before release of genome-edited crops

Nature Biotechnology - Genome editing technology is evolving fast, and many labs worldwide are generating crop plants with improved traits. If transgenes were used to generate the edits, foreign...

rdcu.be

SALICYLIC ACID SENSOR1 reveals the propagation of an SA hormone surge during plant pathogen advance

Salicylic acid (SA) is a key phytohormone that orchestrates immune responses against pathogens, including Pseudomonas syringae bacteria. The timing and extent of SA accumulation are tightly controlled...

science.org

Photosynthate distribution determines spatial patterns in the rhizosphere microbiota of the maize root system - Nature Communications

The combination of isotopic tracers with root phenotyping reveals specific patterns in photosynthate allocation. These patterns are reflected in rhizodeposition and result in spatially distinct microbiomes within the plant root system.

nature.com

Scientific mobility in microbiology – 9

Eliza Loo

cell.com

Microbial drivers of root plasticity

Soils are highly heterogeneous and dynamic systems, experiencing a constant flow of plant root exudates and moisture fluctuations that affect nutrient distribution, soil physicochemical properties, a...

nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

A major trade-off between growth and defense in Arabidopsis thaliana can vanish in field conditions

In controlled greenhouse conditions, Arabidopsis thaliana plants with a hyperactive allele of the ACD6 gene have stronger pathogen defenses but are smaller and make fewer seeds, in a classic fitness t...

journals.plos.org

Deciphering microbial spatial organization: insights from synthetic and engineered communities

Microbial communities are frequently organized into complex spatial structures, shaped by intrinsic cellular traits, interactions between community members, initial growth condition or environmental factors. Under- standing the mechanisms that drive these spatial patterns is essential for uncovering fundamental principles of microbial ecology and for developing applications. Using genetic engineering and synthetic microbial communities allows us to decipher how specific parameters influence spatial organization. In this review, we highlight recent studies that leverage synthetic microbial communities to deepen our understanding of microbial spatial ecology. We begin by exploring how initial conditions, such as cell density and relative species abundance, influence spatial organization. We then focus on studies that examine the role of individ- ual microbial traits, such as cell shape and motility. Next, we discuss the impact of contact-dependent and long-range interactions, including metabolite exchange and toxin release. Furthermore, we highlight the in- fluence of environmental factors on spatial dynamics. Finally, we address the current limitations of synthetic approaches and propose future directions to bridge the gap between engineered and natural systems.

academic.oup.com

Antagonism as a foraging strategy in microbial communities

In natural habitats, nutrient availability limits bacterial growth. We discovered that bacteria can overcome this limitation by acquiring nutrients by lysing neighboring cells through contact-dependen...

science.org

Microbial inoculants modulate the rhizosphere microbiome, alleviate plant stress responses, and enhance maize growth at field scale - Genome Biology

Background Field inoculation of crops with beneficial microbes is a promising sustainable strategy to enhance plant fitness and nutrient acquisition. However, effectiveness can vary due to environment...

genomebiology.biomedcentral.com

A fungal transcription factor converts a beneficial root endophyte into an anthracnose leaf pathogen

Endophytic fungi colonize healthy plant tissues without disease. Ujimatsu et al. reveal that the fungal transcription factor CtBOT6 triggers the virulence of a root-associated beneficial endophyte by ...

cell.com