Journal article
Resolving structure and function of metaorganisms through a holistic framework combining reductionist and integrative approaches
Section for Oceans and Arctic, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark1
National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark2
Kiel University3
University of Arizona4
James Cook University Queensland5
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology6
Current research highlights the importance of associated microbes in contributing to the functioning, health, and even adaptation of their animal, plant, and fungal hosts. As such, we are witnessing a shift in research that moves away from focusing on the eukaryotic host sensu stricto to research into the complex conglomerate of the host and its associated microorganisms (i.e., microbial eukaryotes, archaea, bacteria, and viruses), the so-called metaorganism, as the biological entity.
While recent research supports and encourages the adoption of such an integrative view, it must be understood that microorganisms are not involved in all host processes and not all associated microorganisms are functionally important. As such, our intention here is to provide a critical review and evaluation of perspectives and limitations relevant to studying organisms in a metaorganism framework and the functional toolbox available to do so.
We note that marker gene-guided approaches that primarily characterize microbial diversity are a first step in delineating associated microbes but are not sufficient to establish proof of their functional relevance. More sophisticated tools and experiments are necessary to reveal the specific functions of associated microbes.
This can be accomplished through the study of metaorganisms in less complex environments, the targeted manipulation of microbial associates, or work at the mechanistic level with the toolbox available in model systems. We conclude that the metaorganism framework is a powerful new concept to help provide answers to longstanding biological questions such as the evolution and ecology of organismal complexity and the importance of organismal symbioses to ecosystem functioning.
The intricacy of the metaorganism requires a holistic framework combining reductionist and integrative approaches to resolve the structure and function of its member species and to disclose the various roles that microorganisms play in the biology of their hosts.
Language: | English |
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Year: | 2019 |
Pages: | 81-87 |
ISSN: | 18732720 , 09442006 , 14697998 and 09528369 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.zool.2019.02.007 |
ORCIDs: | 0000-0003-4555-3795 and Jaspers, Cornelia |
Adaptation Aiptasia Holobiont Hydra Integrative approach Model organism Model system Nematostella Reductionism