Trends in Microbiology最新文献

RNA viruses, exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, pose a significant threat to global health. Their rapid mutation and host adaptability highlight the need for advanced tools for efficient viral studies and timely countermeasure development. Imaging technologies, such as cryo-electron microscopy and super-resolution microscopy, have been pivotal in advancing our understanding of viral structures, infection mechanisms, and virus-host interactions. However, each technique has limitations in the field of view or resolution. Recent advancements have focused on developing integrated multiscale imaging to better understand RNA virus pathogenesis. In this review, we examine recent progress in RNA virus imaging across molecular, cellular, and tissue scales, including cryo-electron tomography and correlative multiscale imaging, which link structural mapping with functional insights.

Common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs) formed by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi interconnect neighbouring plants. New evidence from Zhang et al. demonstrates that CMNs transfer jasmonic acid from necrotrophic pathogen-infected to uninfected tomato plants, priming defence responses and recruiting disease-suppressive bacteria. These findings establish a key mechanistic link underlying CMN-mediated plant defence communication.

Eradication of tuberculosis requires new drugs targeting novel pathways. Although purine metabolism represents an essential antitubercular target, concerns about host nucleobase rescue limited its exploration. New data demonstrate that nucleobase levels in human lung tissue are insufficient to confer rescue, renewing interest in this pathway for tuberculosis drug discovery.

Respiratory infections kill millions and overwhelm the healthcare systems worldwide. Swine are powerful allies in this fight. They provide practical, human-like platforms to study pathogens, test vaccines/therapies, and strengthen pandemic readiness. Pig models, with the advent of genetic engineering tools, are closing translational gaps and revealing mechanisms that guide interventions effectively.

From the human gut to the deep ocean, diverse microbial communities underpin essential ecosystem processes. Limited understanding of the dynamics and interactions that shape these communities, however, constrains efforts to culture, investigate, and harness their potential. Further, these knowledge gaps restrict the ability to predict microbial responses to broader biodiversity declines and global change. Among the numerous types of microbial interactions, metabolite exchanges, or 'metabolic handoffs', are a well-documented phenomenon. Recent methodological advances have uncovered a broader spectrum of metabolic handoffs than previously appreciated. Varying in both mechanism and ecological role, metabolic handoffs influence diverse natural environments. In this review, we define two major types of metabolic handoffs, examine their potential drivers and benefits, and highlight emerging research that underscores their widespread occurrence and importance in complex microbial ecosystems.

Root exudates are vital for guiding microbial dynamics in the rhizosphere. Nevertheless, the key component in root exudates responsible for defining the root microbiome has remained obscure. Tsai et al. recently offered insights into how Casparian strips prevent glutamine leakage from the vasculature, thereby shaping the root microbiome.

Arbovirus transmission by mosquitoes remains a major global health concern. A clearer understanding of the molecular mechanisms enabling mosquitoes to acquire and transmit these pathogens (i.e., their vector competence) is crucial for developing more effective control strategies. This review focuses on Aedes aegypti and dengue virus, highlighting the diverse approaches, ranging from foundational forward genetics to high-throughput omics and advanced reverse genetics, used over the past decades to discover mosquito molecular factors underlying vector competence. We discuss the progress and limitations of these research methods and emphasize next-generation techniques that have the potential to transform our understanding of mosquito-arbovirus interactions. These novel approaches offer promising avenues for describing within-vector infection dynamics, predicting infection outcomes, and developing targeted tools for vector-oriented control of mosquito-borne diseases.