Roots of synthetic ecology: microbes that foster plant resilience in the changing climate

• Published in: Current opinion in biotechnology 2024-08, Vol.88, p.103172, Article 103172
• Main Authors: Kozaeva, Ekaterina, Eida, Abdul Aziz, Gunady, Ella F, Dangl, Jeffery L, Conway, Jonathan M, Brophy, Jennifer AN
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Climate Change; Ecology; Ecosystem; Microbiota - physiology; Plant Development; Plant Roots - microbiology; Plants - microbiology; Synthetic Biology
• ISSN: 0958-1669; 1879-0429; 1879-0429
• DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103172

Microbes orchestrate nearly all major biogeochemical processes. The ability to program their influence on plant growth and development is attractive for sustainable agriculture. However, the complexity of microbial ecosystems and our limited understanding of the mechanisms by which plants and microbes interact with each other and the environment make it challenging to use microbiomes to influence plant growth. Novel technologies at the intersection of microbial ecology, systems biology, and bioengineering provide new tools to probe the role of plant microbiomes across environments. Here, we summarize recent studies on plant and microbe responses to abiotic stresses, showcasing key molecules and micro-organisms that are important for plant health. We highlight opportunities to use synthetic microbial communities to understand the complexity of plant–microbial interactions and discuss future avenues of programming ecology to improve plant and ecosystem health. [Display omitted] Influences of abiotic stresses on assembly and function of rhizo-microbiomeHow ecology shapes plant and microbial stress resilienceExamples in which microbial abiotic stress responses directly impact plant healthSynComs as powerful tools for understanding complex microbiome-driven ecosystemsProspects of synthetic ecology to program inter-kingdom interactions