Certain microbes have considerable potential as biocontrol agents against various pathogens, but they coexist with other microbial species in complex networks of interactions that influence their function in a host-dependent manner. These interactions and underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. In this review we focus on Pseudomonas, a versatile genus of bacteria with adaptable physiological and metabolic traits, functioning as both symbionts and pathogens. We review the direct antagonism pathways Pseudomonas uses to inhibit different pathotypes and its role in indirectly inducing systemic defense responses in plants. We provide insights into bacterial coexistence and interactions in host plant–microbe and microbe–microbe relationships, considering pairwise and community dynamics. Understanding these interactions will help optimize synthetic communities and improve practices for sustainable agriculture.

The phyllosphere - the aerial parts of plants - harbors a rich and diverse microbial community, including bacteria, filamentous fungi, yeasts and viruses. This environment is both harsh and dynamic, e...

Nature Microbiology - A sequential propagation strategy shows how the microbes initially on seeds are key to building complex, reproducible and heritable plant microbiomes.

Nature Microbiology - Single-cell gene expression analysis reveals phenotypic heterogeneity to enable bacterial specialization over the course of plant colonization.

Bacteria on leaf surfaces encounter highly variable access to nutrients and water. This oligotrophic environment is partly due to the presence of cuticular waxes that render the leaf surface hydrophob...

Nature Microbiology - Using 21,561 individuals, the authors present a cross-sectional study of how gut microbiome signatures are associated with dietary intake patterns and with host health outcomes.

Leaf-associated bacterial populations of Methylobacterium and Sphingomonas in two- and three-member synthetic communities on Arabidopsis thaliana display distinct spatial structures and population dy....

Nature - Structure and mechanism of the Zorya anti-phage defense system

Plants recognize bacteria by perceiving a 22-residue epitope in flagellin. Plant-secreted SBT5.2 subtilases are found to inactivate this epitope, leading to elicitor removal and reducing costly immuni...

Gender inequality in STEM fields remains pervasive and undermines the ability for talented individuals to excel. Despite advances, women still encounter obstacles in pursuing academic careers and reac...