Fifty important research questions in microbial ecology

Antwis, Rachael E., Griffiths, Sarah M., Harrison, Xavier A., Aranega-Bou,, Paz, Arce, Andres, Bettridge, Aimee, Brailsford, Francesca L., de Menezes, Alexandre, Devaynes, Andrew, Forbes, Kristian M., Fry, Ellen L., Goodhead, Ian, Haskell, Erin, Heys, Chloe, James, Chloe, Johnston, Sarah R., Lewis, Gillian R., Lewis, Zenobia, Macey, Michael C., McCarthy, Alan, McDonald, James E., Mejia-Florez,, Nasmille L., O'Brien, David, Orland, Chloé, Pautasso, Marco, Reid, William D. K., Robinson, Heather A., Wilson, Kenneth and Sutherland, William J. 2017. Fifty important research questions in microbial ecology. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 93 (5) , fix044. 10.1093/femsec/fix044

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Abstract

Microbial ecology provides insights into the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of microbial communities underpinning every ecosystem on Earth. Microbial communities can now be investigated in unprecedented detail, although there is still a wealth of open questions to be tackled. Here we identify 50 research questions of fundamental importance to the science or application of microbial ecology, with the intention of summarising the field and bringing focus to new research avenues. Questions are categorised into seven themes: host–microbiome interactions; health and infectious diseases; human health and food security; microbial ecology in a changing world; environmental processes; functional diversity; and evolutionary processes. Many questions recognise that microbes provide an extraordinary array of functional diversity that can be harnessed to solve real-world problems. Our limited knowledge of spatial and temporal variation in microbial diversity and function is also reflected, as is the need to integrate micro- and macro-ecological concepts, and knowledge derived from studies with humans and other diverse organisms. Although not exhaustive, the questions presented are intended to stimulate discussion and provide focus for researchers, funders and policy makers, informing the future research agenda in microbial ecology.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Biosciences
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
ISSN:	15746941
Funders:	NERC, Finnish Cultural Foundation, Colciencias, Earth and Life Systems Alliance, Arcadia
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	4 April 2017
Date of Acceptance:	31 March 2017
Last Modified:	08 Nov 2024 15:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/99628

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