Structural and functional characterization of the β-barrel assembly machinery complex in Bacteroidota reveals a distinct, seven-component complex with a large extracellular domain that may enable β-barrel–surface lipoprotein complex assembly.

You may have spotted us at different conferences and wondered what we’re doing amid active researchers. Here, we demystify the editorial aims of conference attendance.

In this Perspective, Estrela and Huang discuss nutrient starvation in the context of the gut microbiome, outlining what is known and highlighting key questions for future research to address knowledge gaps.

A genome-wide CRISPR screen helps to identify the Epstein–Barr virus receptor desmocollin 2 for primary epithelial cell infection. Additional infection assays revealed that desmocollin 3 also aids infection.

Epstein–Barr virus is associated with cancer and implicated in autoimmune diseases. Three studies reveal desmocollin 2 and R9AP as receptors for Epstein–Barr virus infection, highlighting new avenues for targeted therapies.

In this Consensus Statement, a consortium of microbiome scientists discuss current sequencing data sharing policies and propose the use of a Data Reuse Information (DRI) tag to promote equitable and collaborative data sharing.

Oxaloacetate is sensed by MDH1, which primes innate immune antiviral defence against influenza virus infection, thus resulting in the activation of ETS2 to promote TBK1-centred type I interferon signalling.

Metabolic pathways are important for all biological processes, including host defence against pathogens. We show that activation of innate immune signalling is primed by oxaloacetate sensing through the cytosolic malate dehydrogenase MDH1, ensuring optimal production of type I interferons and host immune homeostasis in response to influenza virus infection.

Structural and functional characterization of the β-barrel assembly machinery complex in Bacteroidota reveals a distinct, seven-component complex with a large extracellular domain that may enable β-barrel–surface lipoprotein complex assembly.

The antibiotic polymyxin B requires bacterial metabolic activity to cause sufficient damage to the outer membrane to access the inner membrane, which it permeabilizes via an energy-independent mechanism to kill the cell.

A genome-wide CRISPR screen helps to identify the Epstein–Barr virus receptor desmocollin 2 for primary epithelial cell infection. Additional infection assays revealed that desmocollin 3 also aids infection.

HIV infection triggers transcriptomic remodelling and a quiescence programme via KLF2 and the p53 pathway leading to proviral silencing.

Despite being a virulence factor, candidalysin toxin is essential for Candida albicans to penetrate the oral epithelium to establish and maintain non-infectious colonization

Sequencing the genome and microbiome of about 1,500 tick samples from regions across China revealed host–microbe associations in ticks that could have implications for controlling ticks and tick-borne diseases.

In this Consensus Statement, a consortium of microbiome scientists discuss current sequencing data sharing policies and propose the use of a Data Reuse Information (DRI) tag to promote equitable and collaborative data sharing.

HIV infection triggers transcriptomic remodelling and a quiescence programme via KLF2 and the p53 pathway leading to proviral silencing.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 22 September 2025; doi:10.1038/s41579-025-01237-zFusobacterium nucleatum is a commensal microorganism and opportunistic pathogen, with a pathogenic role in periodontal disease, inflammatory bowel disease and various cancers, most notably colorectal cancer. This Review discusses F. nucleatum and its ecological niches and virulence factors, links with disease, oncogenic mechanisms, and emerging diagnostic approaches and therapeutic strategies.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 18 September 2025; doi:10.1038/s41579-025-01244-0This study reports the possible negative effects of warming sea surface temperatures on Prochlorococcus populations.