Journal article
Fifty important research questions in microbial ecology
FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Vol.93(5), fix044
2017
Abstract
Microbial ecology provides insights into the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of microbial communities underpinning every ecosystem on Earth. Microbial communities can now be investigated in unprecedented detail, although there is still a wealth of open questions to be tackled. Here we identify 50 research questions of fundamental importance to the science or application of microbial ecology, with the intention of summarising the field and bringing focus to new research avenues. Questions are categorised into seven themes: host–microbiome interactions; health and infectious diseases; human health and food security; microbial ecology in a changing world; environmental processes; functional diversity; and evolutionary processes. Many questions recognise that microbes provide an extraordinary array of functional diversity that can be harnessed to solve real-world problems. Our limited knowledge of spatial and temporal variation in microbial diversity and function is also reflected, as is the need to integrate micro- and macro-ecological concepts, and knowledge derived from studies with humans and other diverse organisms. Although not exhaustive, the questions presented are intended to stimulate discussion and provide focus for researchers, funders and policy makers, informing the future research agenda in microbial ecology.
Details
- Title
- Fifty important research questions in microbial ecology
- Authors/Creators
- R.E. Antwis (Author/Creator) - University of SalfordS.M. Griffiths (Author/Creator) - Manchester Metropolitan UniversityX.A. Harrison (Author/Creator) - Zoological Society of LondonP. Aranega-Bou (Author/Creator) - University of SalfordA. Arce (Author/Creator) - Imperial College LondonA.S. Bettridge (Author/Creator) - Cardiff UniversityF.L. Brailsford (Author/Creator) - Bangor UniversityA. de Menezes (Author/Creator) - University of SalfordA. Devaynes (Author/Creator) - Edge Hill UniversityK.M. Forbes (Author/Creator) - University of HelsinkiE.L. Fry (Author/Creator) - University of ManchesterI. Goodhead (Author/Creator) - University of SalfordE. Haskell (Author/Creator) - University of YorkC. Heys (Author/Creator) - University of LiverpoolC. James (Author/Creator) - University of SalfordS.R. Johnston (Author/Creator) - Cardiff UniversityG.R. Lewis (Author/Creator) - Edge Hill UniversityZ. Lewis (Author/Creator) - University of LiverpoolM.C. Macey (Author/Creator) - University of East AngliaA. McCarthy (Author/Creator) - University of LiverpoolJ.E. McDonald (Author/Creator) - Bangor UniversityN.L. Mejia-Florez (Author/Creator) - University of East AngliaD. O’Brien (Author/Creator)C. Orland (Author/Creator) - University of CambridgeM. Pautasso (Author/Creator) - European Food Safety AuthorityW.D.K. Reid (Author/Creator) - Newcastle UniversityH.A. Robinson (Author/Creator) - University of ManchesterK. Wilson (Author/Creator) - Lancaster UniversityW.J. Sutherland (Author/Creator) - University of Cambridge
- Publication Details
- FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Vol.93(5), fix044
- Publisher
- Federation of European Microbiological Societies, Oxford University Press
- Identifiers
- 991005543879507891
- Copyright
- © FEMS 2017
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
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- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.45 Soil Science
- 3.45.112 Soil Carbon Dynamics
- Web Of Science research areas
- Microbiology
- ESI research areas
- Microbiology