Extracting the GEMs: Genotype, Environment, and Microbiome Interactions Shaping Host Phenotypes.

Area of Science:

• Biology
• Genetics
• Ecology

Background:

• Host phenotype is traditionally modeled by genotype (G), environment (E), and their interaction (GE).
• The role of the microbiome (M) in host phenotype determination is not well understood within this framework.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an expanded model (GEM) that incorporates the microbiome's contribution to host phenotype.
• To maintain the simplicity and tractability of the original GE model while integrating microbial interactions.

Main Methods:

• Developed the Genotype-Environment-Microbiome (GEM) model.
• Utilized an in vitro experiment to demonstrate the model's application.

Main Results:

• The GEM model statistically disentangles the contributions of host genotype, environment, and microbiome to host phenotypes.
• Demonstrated the model's ability to capture nuanced ecological interactions between host, environment, and microbiome.

Conclusions:

• The GEM model offers a tractable approach to understanding the complex interplay between host genetics, environment, and the microbiome.
• This framework advances the study of heritability and trait variability by including microbial influences.