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Molecular ecology and microbiomes in the wild: methodological advances, common pitfalls and future directions
  • +3
  • Nick Fountain-Jones,
  • Tatiana Giraud,
  • Lucie Zinger,
  • Holly Bik,
  • Simon Creer,
  • Elin Videvall
Nick Fountain-Jones
University of Tasmania

Corresponding Author:nfountainjones@gmail.com

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Tatiana Giraud
Université Paris-Sud
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Lucie Zinger
Institut de Biologie de l’ENS (IBENS), Département de Biologie, École normale supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, Paris, France
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Holly Bik
University of Georgia
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Simon Creer
Bangor University
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Elin Videvall
Brown University
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Abstract

The study of microbiomes across organisms and environments has become a prominent focus in molecular ecology. This perspective article explores methodological advancements, common challenges and future directions in the field. Key research areas include understanding the drivers of microbiome community assembly, linking microbiome composition to host genetics, exploring microbial functions, transience, and spatial partitioning, and disentangling non-bacterial components of the microbiome. Methodological advancements, such as quantifying absolute abundances, sequencing complete genomes, and utilizing novel statistical approaches, are also useful tools for understanding complex microbial diversity patterns. Our aims are to encourage robust practices in microbiome studies and inspire researchers to explore the next frontier of this rapidly changing field.
27 Sep 2023Submitted to Molecular Ecology
27 Sep 2023Submission Checks Completed
27 Sep 2023Assigned to Editor
27 Sep 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
27 Sep 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
17 Oct 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
13 Nov 20231st Revision Received
14 Nov 2023Submission Checks Completed
14 Nov 2023Assigned to Editor
14 Nov 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Nov 2023Editorial Decision: Accept