Identification of genetic markers of quinine partial resistance in Plasmodium falciparum

Nature Microbiology, Published online: 06 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02410-7A genetic cross of Plasmodium falciparum parasites revealed that quinine resistance is polygenic and is associated with mutations in transporter proteins on chromosome 7 (PfCRT and DMT1) and a metalloprotease on chromosome 12 (FtsH1), highlighting key markers for clinical surveillance.

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Non-canonical gene amplifications facilitate adaptive evolution in bacteria

Nature Microbiology, Published online: 06 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02415-2Transposon-associated amplifications are dominated by a previously underappreciated architecture, where the transposon is found only between, not flanking, the amplicons. These amplifications facilitate the evolution of bacteria and their adaptation to antibiotics.

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Clarifying objectives to strengthen wastewater-based AMR surveillance

Nature Microbiology, Published online: 21 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02429-wClarifying objectives to strengthen wastewater-based AMR surveillance

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Evolved phage cocktails outsmart biofilm defences

Nature Microbiology, Published online: 19 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02401-8Evolved phage cocktails outsmart biofilm defences

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Modelling the role of the microbiome in antimicrobial resistance across scales

Nature Microbiology, Published online: 22 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02390-8The microbiome plays a significant yet underexplored role in antimicrobial resistance by influencing ecological and evolutionary processes. This Perspective proposes a framework to integrate microbiome–AMR interactions into predictive models while highlighting key mechanisms and data gaps to improve resistance understanding and interventions.

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Modelling the role of the microbiome in antimicrobial resistance across scales - Nature Microbiology

The microbiome plays a significant yet underexplored role in antimicrobial resistance by influencing ecological and evolutionary processes. This Perspective proposes a framework to integrate microbiom...

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Complex multicellularity is linked with expanded specialized metabolite production in microorganisms

Nature Microbiology, Published online: 26 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02385-5The evolutionary emergence of complex multicellularity in bacteria and fungi, such as the ability for mycelial growth, is strongly associated with increased genomic carriage of biosynthetic machinery for producing specialized chemical metabolites.

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Deep learning reveals antimicrobial peptides within prions

Nature Microbiology, Published online: 19 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02408-1Deep learning reveals that prion-related proteins contain hidden ‘prionin’ peptides with antibacterial activity, including two candidates that reduced infections in mice.

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Genomic heterogeneity of NAD(P)H dehydrogenase predisposes Cryptosporidium to clofazimine resistance - Nature Microbiology

Forward and reverse genetics identifies the mode of action of clofazimine in the parasite Cryptosporidium. The genomic locus encoding the target is heterogeneous, and a resistance-conferring allele is...

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Pooled CRISPRi screening reveals fungal-specific drug target candidates

Nature Microbiology, Published online: 11 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02356-wThis study presents a pooled CRISPRi screening approach in Candida albicans to investigate essential genes at scale, revealing environment- and strain-dependent gene sensitivities and conserved vulnerabilities relevant to antifungal drug discovery.

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A penicillin-binding protein inhibitor series to target drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Nature Microbiology, Published online: 08 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02309-3Emerging multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a global health threat in the treatment of gonorrhoea. This study reports the discovery and characterization of a promising antigonorrhoea agent that addresses antibiotic resistance.

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Impact of intensive control on malaria population genomics under elimination settings in Southeast Asia

Nature Microbiology, Published online: 13 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02327-1Intensive control using village malaria posts and mass drug administration reduces parasite effective population size and increases genetic drift, driving founder effects and rapid shifts in resistance allele frequency.

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Quantifying the real-world impact of antibiotic use and genetic determinants of resistance on gonococcal dynamics

Nature Microbiology - Phylodynamic modelling shows how the changing antibiotic landscape and genetic determinants of resistance shape real-world gonococcal dynamics. Experiments validated that...

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Parasex generates highly recombinant progeny in Candida albicans with increased virulence - Nature Microbiology

An alternative mating system, termed parasex, produces progeny with high levels of genotypic diversity and is able to fulfil the roles of meiosis when it is absent in the fungal pathobiont Candida alb...

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Candida auris skin tropism and antifungal resistance are mediated by carbonic anhydrase Nce103 - Nature Microbiology

Candida auris can scavenge carbon dioxide from microenvironments through Nce103 to sustain fitness when colonizing human skin.

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Decreased cytoplasmic crowding via inhibition of ribosome biogenesis can trigger Candida albicans filamentous growth

Nature Microbiology - During filamentous growth in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans, a reduction in ribosome concentration leads to a decrease in macromolecular crowding. Inhibition of...

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Decreased cytoplasmic crowding via inhibition of ribosome biogenesis can trigger Candida albicans filamentous growth - Nature Microbiology

During filamentous growth in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans, a reduction in ribosome concentration leads to a decrease in macromolecular crowding. Inhibition of ribosome biogenesis can tri...

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Prodrug florfenicol amine is activated by intrinsic resistance to target Mycobacterium abscessus - Nature Microbiology

Florfenicol amine hijacks intrinsic resistance in Mycobacterium abscessus, highlighting that antimicrobial resistance mechanisms can be harnessed for antibiotic activation.

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Genetic population structure of Haemophilus influenzae at local and global scales - Nature Microbiology

Large-scale sequencing and population genomic analyses reveal frequent transmission, a highly admixed global population structure and evidence of pervasive negative selection in Haemophilus influenzae...

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Engineered Metarhizium fungi produce longifolene to attract and kill mosquitoes - Nature Microbiology

Insects colonized with Metarhizium fungi emit longifolene to lure new hosts for infection to disperse spores. A fungal strain was engineered to emit longifolene to attract and eliminate mosquitoes.

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