Document type
ArticleVersion
Published versionPublication date
Publication license
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/176195
Evolutionary Genetics of Microbial Symbiosis
Journal Title
Authors
Director/Tutor
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Related resource
Abstract
Symbiosis is the living together of dissimilar organisms [1,2]. As such, symbiotic relationships can range from antagonist (parasitic) to mutualistic and can vary along this continuum within and between species in space and time. Microbial symbioses encompass a wide array of players (e.g., bacteria, fungi, and small eukaryotes) and are an integral part of organismal life, contributing to phenotypes at all levels of biological organization, from molecules to ecosystems. There has been an explosion of microbiological research on symbiosis emerging from the omics revolution, which has made many previously intractable symbioses available for dissection. Current research ranges from unraveling the biochemical interactions among symbiont partners to uncovering the incredible ecological diversity and dynamics of microbial communities and host associations. Host-microbes engage in extensive and complex cross-kingdom molecular dialogue, where symbionts can modulate their reciprocal gene expression patterns, complement metabolic pathways, and combine genetic information through DNA exchange, in some cases becoming sufficiently integrated through coinheritance to be considered as an evolutionary unit of selection. This extensive genetic and biochemical interplay has enormous implications in the emergence of novel traits and the overall diversification of life.
Subject
Subject (English)
Citation
Citation
BALDO, Laura and WERREN, John H. Evolutionary Genetics of Microbial Symbiosis. Genes. 2021. Vol. 12, num. 13, pags. 327. ISSN 2073-4425. [consulted: 9 of June of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/176195