Rethinking microbial infallibility in the metagenomics era

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Microbial physiology
• Metagenomics

Background:

• The principle of microbial infallibility posits that microbes exploit all available energy sources.
• This principle, though debated, was revitalized by discoveries like anammox bacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the historical context and contemporary relevance of microbial infallibility.
• To explore its application in hypothesis-driven metagenomics.
• To highlight the transition of metagenomics towards hypothesis testing.

Main Methods:

• Distinguishing exploration-driven from hypothesis-driven metagenomics.
• Analyzing how microbial infallibility aids hypothesis formulation for enrichment cultures.
• Reviewing case studies such as comammox and anaerobic methane oxidation.

Main Results:

• Microbial infallibility serves as a crucial assumption for formulating testable hypotheses in metagenomics.
• This principle facilitates the discovery of novel microbial processes and organisms.
• Metagenomics is evolving into a hypothesis-testing scientific approach.

Conclusions:

• The principle of microbial infallibility is a valuable heuristic in microbial ecology.
• It drives innovation in metagenomic research, enabling significant discoveries.
• This principle has broad implications for understanding life's adaptability.