Chiara Tarracchini, Christian Milani, Charlotte N L Jones, Francesca Turroni, Grace Burgess, Jennifer Mahony, Lindsay J Hall, Marco Ventura, Douwe van Sinderen
{"title":"Bifidobacteria: biogeography, host adaptation and ecological functions.","authors":"Chiara Tarracchini, Christian Milani, Charlotte N L Jones, Francesca Turroni, Grace Burgess, Jennifer Mahony, Lindsay J Hall, Marco Ventura, Douwe van Sinderen","doi":"10.1038/s41579-026-01367-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-026-01367-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bifidobacteria are widely recognized important symbionts of the human gut microbiome, shaping host physiology from birth to adulthood to old age. Their evolutionary success is derived from metabolic versatility, ecological adaptation and intimate host interactions. Equipped with an expansive glycan-degrading repertoire, stress-response systems and specialized cell surface structures, bifidobacteria establish stable gut colonization and influence host immune, metabolic and neuroendocrine functions. Genomics and functional studies have revealed how human-associated members of this genus shape trophic networks, tolerance and resilience within the gut ecosystem. Integration of ecological, metabolic and immunological perspectives now positions the genus Bifidobacterium as an excellent model to support human gut health and its potential use as gut microbiota-based therapeutics.</p>","PeriodicalId":18838,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":104.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149075443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"After the rain in biocrusts","authors":"Andrea Du Toit","doi":"10.1038/s41579-026-01378-9","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41579-026-01378-9","url":null,"abstract":"This study shows that rewetting activates a small, distinct subset of dryland biocrust bacteria, with mature communities showing greater microbial activity independent of light conditions.","PeriodicalId":18838,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Microbiology","volume":"24 11","pages":"752-752"},"PeriodicalIF":104.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149021282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Microsporidia: evolution, infection mechanisms and host impact.","authors":"Aaron W Reinke","doi":"10.1038/s41579-026-01364-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-026-01364-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Microsporidia are obligate intracellular eukaryotic parasites. These pathogens belong to an understudied lineage of fungi and can infect most types of animal. Although microsporidia were first discovered over 150 years ago, their impact on humans and agriculturally important animals has become clear only within the last several decades. Microsporidia have the smallest known eukaryotic genomes, and technological advances have been used to highlight the consequences of genomic reduction. Microsporidia have a unique structure known as the polar tube and the mechanisms of how this infectious apparatus is used for invasion of host cells are beginning to be understood. Microsporidia infection has wide-ranging consequences on hosts, and in turn, hosts have evolved immunity against these parasites. Progress has been made in both detecting and treating these infections. This Review provides an overview of the evolution, infection mechanisms and impact of these parasites on their hosts.</p>","PeriodicalId":18838,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":104.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149017366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Clostridioides difficile rewires the infant gut","authors":"Agustina Taglialegna","doi":"10.1038/s41579-026-01375-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41579-026-01375-y","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, Semon and colleagues examine the role of Clostridioides difficile colonization in early life and its lasting effects on host development.","PeriodicalId":18838,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Microbiology","volume":"24 11","pages":"752-752"},"PeriodicalIF":104.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148982744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Printing microbial partners for wastewater treatment","authors":"Agustina Taglialegna","doi":"10.1038/s41579-026-01374-z","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41579-026-01374-z","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, Liu and colleagues constructed engineered living materials to facilitate cross-feeding between anammox and dinitrifier species for efficient nitrate removal.","PeriodicalId":18838,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Microbiology","volume":"24 11","pages":"752-752"},"PeriodicalIF":104.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148977289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
P. J. Klasse, Rogier W. Sanders, Andrew B. Ward, Ian A. Wilson, John P. Moore
{"title":"Publisher Correction: The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein: structure, function and interactions with neutralizing antibodies","authors":"P. J. Klasse, Rogier W. Sanders, Andrew B. Ward, Ian A. Wilson, John P. Moore","doi":"10.1038/s41579-026-01369-w","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41579-026-01369-w","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18838,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Microbiology","volume":"24 11","pages":"821-821"},"PeriodicalIF":104.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-026-01369-w.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148930189","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kirsty L. Jones, Rebecca Thomas, Ryn Mason, Sara R. Henderson, Cailean Carter, Kevin Maringer
{"title":"ND in Micro: neuroinclusion and neuroaffirmation for neurodivergent microbiologists","authors":"Kirsty L. Jones, Rebecca Thomas, Ryn Mason, Sara R. Henderson, Cailean Carter, Kevin Maringer","doi":"10.1038/s41579-026-01368-x","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41579-026-01368-x","url":null,"abstract":"There is a growing awareness and visibility of neurodivergent people and our needs, but we still face workplace challenges. ND in Micro is a new global network that aims to connect, peer-support and raise the profile of neurodivergent microbiologists and our science through virtual and in-person activities and resources.","PeriodicalId":18838,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Microbiology","volume":"24 11","pages":"749-750"},"PeriodicalIF":104.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148920235","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}