Microbiomes often form intimate functional associations with their hosts. Much of the current research focuses on correlations between microbiome membership and states of host health and disease. To allow for in depth functional studies, a system needs to allow for precise manipulation and interrogation of both microbiome composition and host function. Few host systems display both these features. C. elegans is an excellent genetic model organism for studying many fields of biology, including neurology and behaviour, development, cell biology, innate immunity, and host microbiome interactions.
Pioneering research on C. elegans -pathogen interactions began over 20 years ago and has led to an in-depth understanding of innate immune pathways, many of which are conserved in other animals. More recent efforts have elucidated that C. elegans acquires a diverse and distinctive intestinal bacterial community from its natural habitats of rotting organic matter, and that this community affects the life history, development, behavior, and health span of the host.
Recent work has begun to characterize the native microbiome and has identified a common set of bacteria found in the microbiome of C. elegans. While some of these bacteria have been shown to be beneficial to the health of C. elegans, others are detrimental, leading to a complex, multi-faceted understanding of bacterial-microbial interactions. Current research on nematode-bacterial interactions is focused on these native microbiome components, and on their interactions with each other and with C. elegans. With guidance from well supported ecological and evolutionary theory and modeling approaches, the worm is being developed into a powerful experimental system for studying host-associated microbial communities. Lessons learned from this model will inform our understanding of the effect the microbiome has on organismal health more broadly, including humans.
This Research Topic aims to include current work spanning the use of C. elegans as a model organism for dissecting molecular and physiological interactions of host-microbe interactions with pathogens and with a diverse native microbiome. We welcome articles on, but not limited to, the following subthemes, that provide an in depth and comprehensive look at this rapidly developing area of study:
• Genetics, genomics, and evolution: Mechanism and derivation of host responses to diverse microbiota, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi; Genetic factors that shape microbiome structure and function; Co-evolution of microbes and host.
• Microbiome-driven physiology and behavior: Mechanisms of microbiome-mediated changes in host physiology, development, decision making, and/or life history; role of interactions among microbiome components on control of host health and fitness.
• Host-microbe molecular ecology: Host recognition and selective colonization of microbial pathogens and commensals; Stability and resilience of microbial communities in the host.
Topic Editor Dr. Irazoqui is the co-founder and on the Scientific Advisory Board of EvoDenovo Inc. All other Topic Editors declare no other potential conflicts of interest with regards to the topic.
Microbiomes often form intimate functional associations with their hosts. Much of the current research focuses on correlations between microbiome membership and states of host health and disease. To allow for in depth functional studies, a system needs to allow for precise manipulation and interrogation of both microbiome composition and host function. Few host systems display both these features. C. elegans is an excellent genetic model organism for studying many fields of biology, including neurology and behaviour, development, cell biology, innate immunity, and host microbiome interactions.
Pioneering research on C. elegans -pathogen interactions began over 20 years ago and has led to an in-depth understanding of innate immune pathways, many of which are conserved in other animals. More recent efforts have elucidated that C. elegans acquires a diverse and distinctive intestinal bacterial community from its natural habitats of rotting organic matter, and that this community affects the life history, development, behavior, and health span of the host.
Recent work has begun to characterize the native microbiome and has identified a common set of bacteria found in the microbiome of C. elegans. While some of these bacteria have been shown to be beneficial to the health of C. elegans, others are detrimental, leading to a complex, multi-faceted understanding of bacterial-microbial interactions. Current research on nematode-bacterial interactions is focused on these native microbiome components, and on their interactions with each other and with C. elegans. With guidance from well supported ecological and evolutionary theory and modeling approaches, the worm is being developed into a powerful experimental system for studying host-associated microbial communities. Lessons learned from this model will inform our understanding of the effect the microbiome has on organismal health more broadly, including humans.
This Research Topic aims to include current work spanning the use of C. elegans as a model organism for dissecting molecular and physiological interactions of host-microbe interactions with pathogens and with a diverse native microbiome. We welcome articles on, but not limited to, the following subthemes, that provide an in depth and comprehensive look at this rapidly developing area of study:
• Genetics, genomics, and evolution: Mechanism and derivation of host responses to diverse microbiota, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi; Genetic factors that shape microbiome structure and function; Co-evolution of microbes and host.
• Microbiome-driven physiology and behavior: Mechanisms of microbiome-mediated changes in host physiology, development, decision making, and/or life history; role of interactions among microbiome components on control of host health and fitness.
• Host-microbe molecular ecology: Host recognition and selective colonization of microbial pathogens and commensals; Stability and resilience of microbial communities in the host.
Topic Editor Dr. Irazoqui is the co-founder and on the Scientific Advisory Board of EvoDenovo Inc. All other Topic Editors declare no other potential conflicts of interest with regards to the topic.