The coral microbiome in sickness, in health and in a changing world (Dr. Luo's lab new publication)

Explore the enigmatic world of microbial dark matter—uncultured and poorly understood microorganisms that dominate Earth’s ecosystems. By synthesizing cutting-edge metagenomic and biochemical data, we reveal how these cryptic microbes drive global nutrient cycles (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur) and maintain planetary health. Key insights highlight their unique metabolic strategies, such as novel enzymes for anaerobic methane oxidation and cryptic sulfur transformations, which challenge classical biogeochemical paradigms. This work underscores the urgent need for innovative culturing techniques and omics-driven approaches to unlock their ecological and biotechnological potential. Our findings redefine microbial contributions to Earth systems, bridging gaps between environmental microbiology and sustainability science.

Voolstra, C.R., Raina, JB., Dörr, M. et al. The coral microbiome in sickness, in health and in a changing world. Nat Rev Microbiol 22, 460–475 (2024).

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-024-01015-3