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CeMbio - The Caenorhabditis elegans Microbiome Resource
Philipp Dirksen1, Adrien Assié2, Johannes Zimmermann3
1Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany.
G3 (Bethesda, Md.)
|July 17, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed CeMbio, a simplified natural microbiota for *Caenorhabditis elegans*. This resource enables causal inference in host-microbiome studies, overcoming limitations of existing synthetic communities.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Host-Microbiome Interactions
- Nematode Biology
Background:
- Sequencing studies reveal microbiome correlations with host traits, but inferring causation is challenging due to microbial complexity.
- Existing synthetic communities have drawbacks like artificial microbe selection, host-microbe mismatch, and lack of host genetic tractability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce CeMbio, a simplified, natural microbiota for *Caenorhabditis elegans* (nematode).
- To provide a resource for dissecting naturally relevant host-microbiome interactions in a tractable model system.
Main Methods:
- Derived CeMbio from a meta-analysis of natural *C. elegans* microbiota.
- Ensured CeMbio strains are culturable, colonize the worm gut individually, and form a robust community.
- Developed complementary tools: diagnostic PCR primers, sequenced genomes, and metabolic network models.
Main Results:
- CeMbio is amenable to *C. elegans* model system strengths.
- The CeMbio community distinctly affects nematode life-history traits.
- Comprehensive tools facilitate in-depth analysis of host-microbiome interactions.
Conclusions:
- CeMbio offers a versatile resource for studying host-microbiome causality in *C. elegans*.
- This simplified natural microbiota overcomes limitations of previous synthetic communities.
- CeMbio facilitates the dissection of ecologically relevant host-microbiome interactions.
Keywords:
C. elegansHost-microbe interactionsMetabolic networksMicrobiome resourceSynthetic communities
