Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Evolutionary Processes in Microbes01:26

Evolutionary Processes in Microbes

Microbial evolution occurs rapidly due to short generation times and a variety of genetic processes, including horizontal gene transfer, mutation, recombination, and genetic drift. These mechanisms collectively enable microbes to adapt swiftly to changing environments.Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) allows genes to move between different species and occurs through three main mechanisms: conjugation, transformation, and transduction. Conjugation involves direct cell-to-cell contact for DNA...
Evolution of New Traits in Microbes01:24

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
Introduction to Microbial Ecology01:28

Introduction to Microbial Ecology

Microbial ecology examines the complex web of interactions and diversity among microorganisms within various ecosystems. This field seeks to understand how microbial populations adapt to and influence their environments and how these interactions shape broader ecological processes. Microbes are integral to ecosystem function, participating in nutrient cycling, energy flow, and the maintenance of environmental homeostasis.An ecosystem represents a dynamic interaction between living organisms...
Microenvironments01:22

Microenvironments

Microorganisms inhabit highly localized spaces known as microenvironments, which are defined by distinct physical and chemical characteristics. These include oxygen concentration, pH, temperature, light availability, and nutrient levels. The conditions within a microenvironment can differ markedly from those in the surrounding area and significantly influence microbial growth, metabolism, and community structure.Microenvironments often display sharp physicochemical gradients over small spatial...
Evolution of Microbial Genome01:08

Evolution of Microbial Genome

Microbial genome evolution is a highly dynamic process shaped by continual gene gain and loss across species and strains. This genomic flexibility allows microorganisms to adapt rapidly to environmental pressures and interactions with other organisms. Central to understanding this diversity is the distinction between the core and pan genomes.The core genome comprises the genes shared by all sampled strains of a species, representing essential functions needed for fundamental cellular processes.
Microbial Interactions: Competition01:26

Microbial Interactions: Competition

Microbial competition is an ecological interaction in which microorganisms vie for limited resources within shared environments. These resources may include nutrients, space, or light, depending on the system. The intensity and outcome of competition are influenced by the environmental context, such as nutrient availability, spatial constraints, and the diversity of microbial species present. These competitive interactions significantly influence the structure, function, and resilience of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Service Use and Engagement in Youth Mental Healthcare: National Trends in Jigsaw (2017-2022).

Early intervention in psychiatry·2026
Same author

Short-term antagonism between bacteriophages and macrophages decreases with bacteria-phage coevolution.

The ISME journal·2026
Same author

A novel method to simultaneously estimate bacterial respiration and growth from oxygen dynamics.

ISME communications·2026
Same author

To survive in the cold: the evolution of reduced decay rate in a bacteriophage.

Evolution; international journal of organic evolution·2026
Same author

Cheats can boost the success of an invading population.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026
Same author

Sewers to Seas: exploring pathogens and antimicrobial resistance on microplastics from hospital wastewater to marine environments.

Environment international·2025
Same journal

Microbial C1 assimilation pathways for chemical synthesis: from native metabolism to synthetic design.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
Same journal

Medicinal plants fermentation: current knowledge and perspectives.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
Same journal

Fermented foods: lessons learned from metagenomics.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
Same journal

Microfluidic platforms for the transient transfection of mammalian cells: recent developments and challenges.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
Same journal

Harvesting insights from recent advances in yeast genomics for predictable and precision wine fermentation.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
Same journal

Minimal enzyme cascades for the aromatic-to-aromatic upgrading of lignin monomers.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
04:52

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

The interplay between microevolution and community structure in microbial populations.

Siobhán O'Brien1, David J Hodgson, Angus Buckling

  • 1Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom. eso201@exeter.ac.uk

Current Opinion in Biotechnology
|April 3, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Microbial community structure and function are shaped by rapid genetic changes within species. This interplay influences evolutionary paths and community composition, with implications for biotechnology.

More Related Videos

Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli
15:00

Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli

Published on: August 18, 2023

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview
29:13

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview

Published on: May 28, 2007

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 12, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
04:52

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli
15:00

Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli

Published on: August 18, 2023

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview
29:13

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview

Published on: May 28, 2007

Area of Science:

  • Microbial Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Microbial community structure is critical for ecosystem function.
  • Adaptive genetic changes can rapidly alter microbial communities.
  • The relationship between microbial evolution and community dynamics is complex.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the reciprocal influence between microbial community structure and rapid adaptive genetic change.
  • To highlight the significance of this interplay in both natural and biotechnological systems.

Main Methods:

  • This study is primarily theoretical, synthesizing existing research.
  • It examines the feedback loops between community structure and evolutionary trajectories.

Main Results:

  • Rapid genetic evolution within microbial communities directly impacts their structure and function.
  • Changes in community structure, driven by evolution, can alter the evolutionary pressures on constituent species.

Conclusions:

  • The dynamic interplay between rapid evolution and community structure is a fundamental ecological process.
  • Understanding this relationship is crucial for applications in biotechnology and managing natural microbial ecosystems.