The move from a free-living environment to an endosymbiotic relationship has profound effects on bacterial function.

This #PLOSBiology Unsolved Mystery from John P McCutcheon &co explores how bacterial endosymbionts work with so few genes. #symbiosis

https://plos.io/441F6Gk

#Mutualism on the edge: Understanding the #Paramecium–#Chlorella symbiosis https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pbio.3002563

"Exploring the mechanisms that underpin #symbiosis requires an understanding of how these complex interactions are maintained in diverse model systems. The ciliate #protist, Paramecium bursaria, offers a valuable insight into how emergent endosymbiotic interactions have evolved."

#protists #algae #microbes #ciliates

Beyond pathogenesis: Detecting the full spectrum of ecological interactions in the virosphere

"Viral interactions with their hosts are complex and some non-pathogenic viruses could have potential benefits to society. However, viral research is seldom designed to identify viral mutualists, a gap that merits considering new experimental designs."

https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3002109

#viruses #pathogens #symbiosis

Beyond pathogenesis: Detecting the full spectrum of ecological interactions in the virosphere

Viral interactions with their hosts are complex and can be beneficial, yet the public perception of viruses is generally negative.

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