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Updated: Jan 29, 2026
14:42
Biology of Microbial Communities - Interview
Published on: May 28, 2007
9.1K
Bridging the Holistic-Reductionist Divide in Microbial Ecology.
Robin Tecon1, Sara Mitri2, Davide Ciccarese1,3
1Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
Msystems
|February 13, 2019
Summary
Microbial ecology research uses new lab models to bridge the gap between simple synthetic systems and complex natural environments. This approach enhances understanding of microbial community dynamics and interactions.
Area of Science:
- Microbial Ecology
- Systems Biology
- Synthetic Biology
Background:
- Microbial communities are complex systems.
- Traditional research models fall into either highly controlled synthetic systems or complex natural environments.
- A methodological divide exists between controllability and complexity in microbial ecology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the methodological divide in microbial ecology.
- To propose a conceptual perspective integrating new research developments.
- To outline a roadmap for bridging controllability and complexity.
Main Methods:
- Review of current laboratory models in microbial ecology.
- Conceptual analysis of the controllability-complexity spectrum.
- Development of a 3-point roadmap.
Main Results:
- New laboratory models are increasingly used to study microbial communities.
- These models explore intermediate territories between synthetic and natural systems.
- A conceptual framework is proposed to integrate these developments.
Conclusions:
- Crossing the divide between controllability and complexity is crucial for advancing microbial ecology.
- The proposed roadmap offers a path towards more integrated research approaches.
- Future research should leverage advanced models to study complex microbial ecosystems.
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