Perspectives on the future of ecology, evolution, and biodiversity from the Council on Microbial Sciences of the American Society for Microbiology
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The field of microbial ecology, evolution, and biodiversity (EEB) is at the leading edge of understanding how microbes shape our biosphere and influence the well-being of humankind and Earth. To that end, EEB is developing new transdisciplinary tools to analyze these ecologically critical, complex microbial communities. The American Society for Microbiology's Council on Microbial Sciences hosted a virtual retreat in 2023 to discuss the trajectory of EEB both within the Society and microbiology writ large. The retreat emphasized the interconnectedness of microbes and their outsized global influence on environmental and host health. The maximal potential impact of EEB will not be achieved without contributions from disparate fields that unite diverse technologies and data sets. In turn, this level of transdisciplinary efforts requires actively encouraging "broad" research, spanning inclusive global collaborations that incorporate both scientists and the public. Together, the American Society for Microbiology and EEB are poised to lead a paradigm shift that will result in a new era of collaboration, innovation, and societal relevance for microbiology.
Source: mSphere
Authors: Denise M. Akob, A. Elizabeth Oates, Peter R. Girguis, Brian D. Badgley, Vaughn S. Cooper, Rachel S. Poretsky, Braden T. Tierney, Elena Litchman, Rachel J. Whitaker, Katrine L. Whiteson, C. Jessica E. Metcalf, Ecology Evolutionary and Biodiversity Retreat Participants, Salma Akter, David Baltrus, Megan Behringer, Olufunke Bolatito Shittu, Arpita Bose, Monzur Chowdhury, Alison Criss, Catalina Cuellar Gempeler, Hsin-Hung David Chou, Devin Drown, David Dunigan, Saber Esmaeili, Britt Koskella, Jay Lennon, Torey Looft, Connie Lovejoy, Thulani Makhalanyane, Maria Mercedes Zambrano, Jeffrey Newman, Ganiyu Oladunjoye Oyetibo, Timothy Olubisi Adejumo, Ariane Peralta, Jose R. Perez-Jimenez, Gemma Reguera, Renee Richer, Jorge W. Santo Domingo, Patrick Schloss, Tom Sharpton, Joshua Steele, Lisa Stein, Cameron Thrash, Alaina Weinheimer, Laura Williams, Elisha Wood Charlson, Vincent Young, F. Murilo Zerbini
Institutions: United States Geological Survey, Geology, Energy and Minerals Science Center, American Society for Microbiology, Harvard University, Virginia Tech, University of Pittsburgh, University of Illinois Chicago, Weill Cornell Medicine, Carnegie Institution for Science, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of California, Irvine, Princeton University
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,500
OpenAlex ID: W4403302823