Resolving structure and function of metaorganisms through a holistic framework combining reductionist and integrative...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• Associated microbes are crucial for host functioning, health, and adaptation.
• Research is shifting towards viewing the host and its associated microorganisms as a single entity, the metaorganism.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review the perspectives and limitations of the metaorganism framework.
• To evaluate the available tools for studying metaorganisms and their functional relevance.

Main Methods:

• Review of current research on metaorganism framework.
• Evaluation of marker gene-guided approaches and their limitations.
• Discussion of advanced tools and experimental strategies for functional analysis.

Main Results:

• Marker gene approaches identify microbes but don't prove functional relevance.
• Sophisticated tools and targeted experiments are needed to establish microbial functions.
• Studying simpler metaorganisms and using model systems aids mechanistic understanding.

Conclusions:

• The metaorganism framework offers powerful insights into organismal complexity and symbiosis.
• A holistic approach combining reductionist and integrative methods is essential for understanding metaorganism structure and function.
• Disclosing the roles of microorganisms in host biology is key to advancing ecological and evolutionary questions.