How do distinct species cofunction in symbiosis, despite conflicting interests? A new collection of articles explores emerging themes as…
Biology & Life Sciences
Symbiosis across the tree of life
Symbiosis research has become a holistic and pervasive field with a mature theoretical basis. Extraordinary diversity in symbiotic relationships exists across the tree of life. The aim of this collection is to showcase symbiotic relationships across the tree of life, exploring their evolutionary basis and underlying mechanisms.
PLOS Biology
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Image creditThe marine sea anemone is a powerful model for understanding the cell biology, ecology and evolution of coral-dinoflagellate symbiosis (Photo Credit Guse lab).PLOS Biology Symbiosis: In search of a deeper understanding
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PLOS Biology Symbiosis takes a front and center role in biology
All animals and plants likely require interactions with microbes, often in strong, persistent symbiotic associations. While the…
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PLOS Biology Symbiotic revolutions at the interface of genomics and microbiology
Symbiosis is an old idea with a contentious history. New genomic technologies and research paradigms are fueling a shift in some of its…
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PLOS Biology Mutualism on the edge: Understanding the Paramecium–Chlorella symbiosis
Exploring the mechanisms that underpin symbiosis requires an understanding of how these complex interactions are maintained in diverse…
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PLOS Biology What choanoflagellates can teach us about symbiosis
Environmental bacteria influence many facets of choanoflagellate biology, yet surprisingly few examples of symbioses exist. We need to…
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PLOS Biology Fungal holobionts as blueprints for synthetic endosymbiotic systems
Rhizopus microsporus is an example of a fungal holobiont. Strains of this species can harbor bacterial and viral endosymbionts inherited…
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PLOS Biology Linking cell biology and ecology to understand coral symbiosis evolution
Understanding the evolution of coral endosymbiosis requires a predictive framework that integrates life-history theory and ecology with…
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PLOS Biology Fitness trade-offs and the origins of endosymbiosis
Endosymbiosis drives evolutionary innovation and underpins the function of diverse ecosystems. The mechanistic origins of symbioses,…
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PLOS Biology Modeling endosymbioses: Insights and hypotheses from theoretical approaches
Endosymbiotic relationships are pervasive across diverse taxa of life, offering key avenues for eco-evolutionary dynamics. Although a…
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PLOS Biology How do bacterial endosymbionts work with so few genes?
The move from a free-living environment to a long-term residence inside a host eukaryotic cell has profound effects on bacterial function.…
Featured Editors
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Guest Editor Thomas Richards
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Guest Editor Nancy Moran
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Senior Editor, PLOS Biology Roli Roberts