Nature Microbiology

Conditional activation of Cas13 enforces lysogeny in a native type VI-A CRISPR host Nature Microbiology, Published online: 10 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02288-5RNA-targeting CRISPR in Listeria seeligeri restricts the lytic cycle of temperate phages but tolerates prophage acquisition while also preventing induction—a system that enables acquisition of beneficial prophages while mitigating the risks of lysis.

Out Now! Conditional activation of Cas13 enforces lysogeny in a native type VI-A CRISPR host #MicroSky

mRNA vaccination overcomes haemozoin-mediated impairment of whole-parasite malaria vaccines in mice Nature Microbiology, Published online: 02 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02263-0Previous malaria exposure weakens whole-parasite malaria vaccines by leaving haemozoin, which impairs T cell activation. An mRNA vaccine bypasses this block, restores protective T cells and improves protection when combined with whole-sporozoite vaccination.

From recent issues: Out now! Out Now! mRNA vaccination overcomes haemozoin-mediated impairment of whole-parasite malaria vaccines in mice

A clinic-responder-derived defined microbial consortium enhances anti-PD-1 immunotherapy efficacy in mice Nature Microbiology, Published online: 09 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02279-6A rationally designed 15-member bacterial community engrafts and promotes T cell responses and anti-PD-1 therapy across heterogeneous baseline microbiotas to promote cancer control in mice.

Out Now! A clinic-responder-derived defined microbial consortium enhances anti-PD-1 immunotherapy efficacy in mice #MicroSky

Bacterial Schlafen proteins mediate phage defence Nature Microbiology, Published online: 09 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02277-8This study highlights that Schlafens are ancient, mechanistically conserved immune effectors that mediate antiviral immunity in organisms ranging from humans to bacteria.

Out Now! Bacterial Schlafen proteins mediate phage defence #MicroSky

Our work on bacterial Schlafens in phage defense is out today @natmicrobiol.nature.com!

Check out the final version here:
rdcu.be/e7Bmz

We are looking for postdocs and students to expand our team! Official postings are coming soon.

Please reach out if you're interested!
#phage #phagesky #microsky

International Women's Day 2026 Nature highlights developments in women’s health research and career guidance for women in science.

International Women’s Day celebrates the Earth’s 4 billion female inhabitants. Nature brings you a collection of the latest on advancements in women’s health and career guidance, advice and inspiration for women in science. 🧪 #IWD2026

Spatial transcriptomics maps host–gut microbiome biogeography at high resolution Nature Microbiology, Published online: 06 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02286-7Bulk polyadenylation improves the capture of microbial RNA, enabling host–microorganism interactions to be visualized at a high resolution when combined with commercially available spatial transcriptomics platforms.

Out Now! Spatial transcriptomics maps host–gut microbiome biogeography at high resolution #MicroSky

Initial sites of SIV rebound after antiretroviral treatment cessation in rhesus macaques Nature Microbiology, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-025-02258-3Using a non-human primate model, the authors identified the tissue sites of initial viral rebound after discontinuation of antiretroviral therapy, demonstrating that such rebound preferentially occurs in the gastrointestinal tract-associated lymphoid tissues.

From recent issues: Out now! Out Now! Initial sites of SIV rebound after antiretroviral treatment cessation in rhesus macaques

Quantifying the real-world impact of antibiotic use and genetic determinants of resistance on gonococcal dynamics Nature Microbiology, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-025-02235-wPhylodynamic modelling shows how the changing antibiotic landscape and genetic determinants of resistance shape real-world gonococcal dynamics. Experiments validated that determinants with identical resistance phenotype differed in impact on fitness.

From recent issues: Out now! Out Now! Quantifying the real-world impact of antibiotic use and genetic determinants of resistance on gonococcal dynamics

Out Now! Navigating the promise and pitfalls of artificial intelligence #MicroSky

Prediction of eukaryotic cellular complexity in Asgard archaea using structural modelling Nature Microbiology, Published online: 05 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02273-yA structural catalogue of the Asgard archaeal pangenome reveals hundreds of eukaryotic-like proteins that suggest a higher degree of cellular complexity in the archaeal ancestor of eukaryotes.

Out Now! Prediction of eukaryotic cellular complexity in Asgard archaea using structural modelling #MicroSky

Our March issue is out, featuring...

🤖the promise and pitfalls of AI
🙅gasdermins thwarting bacterial pathogens
🌽Trichoderma fungi for sustainable agriculture
🐛mechanisms of insect-bacterium mutualism
🫘microbiome impacts on chronic kidney disease

...and more 👇
www.nature.com/nmicrobiol/v...

Read our review about the "Diversity, ecology, cell biology and evolution of the Asgard archaea" in @natrevmicro.nature.com here: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

By @kassipan.bsky.social @stephkoe.bsky.social @micropat.bsky.social & @gerbenz.bsky.social

Prediction of eukaryotic cellular complexity in Asgard archaea using structural modelling - Nature Microbiology A structural catalogue of the Asgard archaeal pangenome reveals hundreds of eukaryotic-like proteins that suggest a higher degree of cellular complexity in the archaeal ancestor of eukaryotes.

🧵 1/10 New paper out in @natmicrobiol.nature.com from my postdoc at @mib-wur.bsky.social! 🎉

How eukaryote-like was the archaeal ancestor of eukaryotes? Sequence searches alone can't tell us — so we used protein structure prediction to look deeper. 🧬
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Out Now! Retraction Note: Metabolic remodelling produces fumarate via the aspartate–argininosuccinate shunt in macrophages as an antiviral defence #MicroSky

Join @berasymbionts.bsky.social , @tatsuyanobori.bsky.social and us for a postdoc on the remarkable developmental biology of symbiosis!

Applications are due March 25th 🪲🦠

@johninnescentre.bsky.social @thesainsburylab.bsky.social

Phenogenomics reveals the ecology and evolution of Trichoderma fungi for sustainable agriculture Nature Microbiology, Published online: 03 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02260-3Analysis of 37 genomes together with more than 140 phenotypic traits links genomic features to ecological fitness and lifestyle diversity in Trichoderma fungi.

Out Now! Phenogenomics reveals the ecology and evolution of Trichoderma fungi for sustainable agriculture #MicroSky

Pokémon turns 30 — how the fictional pocket monsters shaped science The Japanese media sensation has inspired generations of researchers in fields as diverse as evolution, biodiversity and research integrity.

For Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, Nature spoke to scientists from around the world about how their work has been shaped by playing Pokémon games, watching animated TV series and films and trading cards in school playgrounds. 🧪

Skin androgens affect virulence of Staphylococcus aureus Nature Microbiology, Published online: 27 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02281-ySex-specific differences in susceptibility to skin infections with Staphylococcus aureus are well described. Testosterone now emerges as a direct modulator of the accessory gene regulator quorum sensing system, increasing S. aureus virulence, which both explains sex-specific differences and informs treatment strategies.

Out Now! Skin androgens affect virulence of Staphylococcus aureus #MicroSky

Skin androgens regulate Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity via quorum sensing Nature Microbiology, Published online: 27 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02261-2Testosterone produced by skin cells enhances Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity by activating quorum sensing, and a stereoisomer of testosterone that blocks this interaction inhibits bacterial cytotoxicity towards human cells.

Out Now! Skin androgens regulate Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity via quorum sensing #MicroSky

Tryptophanase disruption promotes insect–bacterium mutualism Nature Microbiology, Published online: 27 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02264-zDisruption of a single gene encoding tryptophanase makes Escherichia coli mutualistic in a stinkbug model owing to the accumulation of tryptophan and a reduction in toxic indole. This gene is typically lacking in symbionts of wild stinkbugs.

Out Now! Tryptophanase disruption promotes insect–bacterium mutualism #MicroSky

Grateful to Jacob Smith for interviewing me for @natmicrobiol.nature.com @natureportfolio.nature.com, alongside brilliant microbiologists from around the world.

The field is evolving fast and entering a digital era of discovery!

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Gut bacteria ammonia production restores acetylcholine neurotransmission and bowel motility Nature Microbiology, Published online: 26 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02292-9Acetylcholine levels are reduced in gut dysmotility conditions. We find that gut acetylcholine levels induce a compensatory increase in gut microbiota urease activity and ammonia production. By upregulating presynaptic Cav2.1 calcium channels in enteric neurons, ammonia enhances calcium influx and restores acetylcholine release neurotransmission, revealing a microbiota-driven mechanism that preserves gut motility.

Out Now! Gut bacteria ammonia production restores acetylcholine neurotransmission and bowel motility #MicroSky