ZeaMiC (maize root microbial culture collection) has been in development for a few years. Check out our pre-print of this community accessible resource. 🦠🌽

Two scientists in lab coats analyzing plant samples in a greenhouse filled with yellow flowers.

📢New paper alert:
🍄 Friendly #fungi hijack #plant regulator to promote #symbiosis - study uncovers #mechanism that helps fungi to colonize plant #roots
👉 Link: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@an-pocheng.bsky.social @carogutj.bsky.social

CEPLAS starts a number of new projects, and we are looking for 12 Postdocs ❗
CEPLAS projects are always highly collaborative, that means postdocs working with us will always closely interact with several CEPLAS research groups. Find all postdoc openings here: www.ceplas.eu/en/training-...

If you are interested in investigating horizontal gene transfer by phages and virus-like particles using computational approaches, this postdoc position in the Callahan Lab could be for you

jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/226...

The Interaction Between Abiotic and Biotic Soil Factors Modulates Heterosis Expression in Maize | Phytobiomes Journal Heterosis, or hybrid vigor, refers to the phenotypic superiority of hybrids relative to their parental inbred lines. Recent work showed that manipulation of the soil microbial community consistently altered heterosis but the direction of the effect was ...

Get a First Look 🔍 “The Interaction Between Abiotic and Biotic Soil Factors Modulates Heterosis Expression in Maize,” by Kayla M. Clouse et al.: https://doi.org/10.1094/PBIOMES-04-25-0026-R

Applications are open for UC Riverside's 'Next generation plant biology and plant-microbe interactions program'.

This paid 10-week undergrad summer research program includes technical and professional skills workshops in addition to hands-on research experience!
etap.nsf.gov/award/7573/o...

Join us for a conversation with Pamela Ronald @pcronald.bsky.social , a universally recognized leader in plant genetics, a food security pioneer, and an enthusiastic advocate for sustainable agriculture.

🗓️ 🗓️ 18 December | 🕗 11:00 am US EST

✍️ Sign up here: tinyurl.com/3j34ffjt

New study explores ‘legacy effects’ of soil microbes on plants across Kansas Click for more on research in Nature Microbiology

A nice write-up on the latest paper from my lab: news.ku.edu/news/article...

More commentary to come!

#PlantBiology #Drought #Corn #Maize #Microbiome #PlantScience #SoilHealth #PlantHealth

We have TWO post-doctoral fellowships in the Biodiversity Centre at UBC next year! Am happy to chat if you might want to be hosted in my lab. biodiversity.ubc.ca/training-and... Deadline January 15th!

We show that precipitation history shapes soil microbiota functions at multiple scales. These “precipitation legacies” persist over time and enhance plant tolerance to subsequent droughts. However, not all plants reap the same benefits.

I am SO excited to share my new pub rdcu.be/eNsV7 in @natmicrobiol.nature.com. Congratulations to our brilliant team @maggie-r-wagner.bsky.social, Valéria Custódio, David Gopaulchan, Garbriel Castrillo, et al.

Call for abstracts: Phytobiomes Alliance Workshops at PAG 2026 | International Phytobiomes Alliance The Phytobiomes Alliance is an international, nonprofit alliance of industry, academic, and governmental partners. The Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization registered in the United States.Th...

phytobiomesalliance.org/news/call-fo...

Congratulation Rim! I can not wait to see what you accomplish in your next chapter!

Pivot to Plants: Training Program for Plant and Data Science | Danforth Plant Science Center The Pivot2Plants Fellows Program is a 1-year training program for people interested in pivoting to a career in plant science or data science but have limited research experience.

Applications for the 2026 Pivot to Plants Fellows Program at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center are now open.

Location: St. Louis, MO
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025
Dates: Jan. 5, 2026 – Dec. 23, 2026
Estimated Stipend: $37,275

Learn more: www.danforthcenter.org/our-work/edu...

How thoughtful experimental design can empower biologists in the omics era - Nature Communications Here, the authors discuss principles of experimental design that are relevant for all biology research, along with special considerations for projects using -omics approaches, highlighting common expe...

Great publication from Maggie Wagner (KU) and Manuel Kleiner (NCS) on how to design microbiome (+ other Omic) projects with downstream statistics in mind!

A must read for trainees!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

🎙️I am thrilled to share this episode of #MattersMicrobial hosted by @markowenmartin.bsky.social.
@symbionticism.bsky.social and I talk about One Health Microbiome Sciences and what is next for the microbiome research field! 🦠🌏

Ecologically expanding the One Health framework to unify the microbiome sciences | mBio Microbiome research rapidly expanded in the last two decades, with nearly 200,000 peer-reviewed articles that use the word “microbiome” and significant microbial lineage discoveries reshaping the evol...

🔬 New Perspective in mBio (@asm.org)!

We call for a shift from disease surveillance to microbial stewardship, and highlight testable, cross-system hypotheses to unravel central rules of microbial life–spanning multiple scales, taxa, and environments. 🦠🌎
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

"Make no mistake, this approach will unnecessarily hinder scientific progress and will drive the “best and brightest” away from the field at a time when our public health challenges are more complex than ever before."

asm.org/press-releas...

We have a fun SciArt event next week led by the international BioArtist Melissa Monsoon! Register today!

ASPB Joins Call to Protect the Future of Science | Plant Science Today ASPB joined the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and 47 other scientific organizations in a letter to members of Congress.

ASPB joined the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and 47 other scientific organizations in a letter to members of Congress demanding that they protect federally funded scientific research and federal scientists. Read more👇 buff.ly/iLOFtR8

How do host genetics shape the gut microbiome in livestock? 🐖
Explore the impact of genetic selection on microbiota composition and animal traits at this International Phytobiomes Alliance Webinar!

9 April 25 | 🕚 11:00 AM EDT
🔗 Register now: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Behind every great woman in science, there’s another great woman in science To mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, six award-winning female scientists highlight women who have inspired them by pushing innovative research and creating opportunities for others.

Six award-winning female scientists highlight women who have inspired them by pushing innovative research and creating opportunities for others

https://go.nature.com/43n0J5R

Open rank position reminder, apply by 1/31

The Dept. of Biology at U of Maryland, College Park invites applications from individuals studying fundamental questions in ecology and evolutionary biology using microbial systems for a tenure-track or tenured position at any rank

bit.ly/ecoevomicro-...

The disciplinary matrix of holobiont biology Uniting life’s seen and unseen realms guides a conceptual advance in research

Thrilled to share our new pub in Science, co-authored by an amazing international team! 🌍✨

It is an exciting time for Microbiome Sciences as we push forward testable frameworks that can help advance our understanding of host-microbiome relationships
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

It's published 🎊 with a powerful quote from Woese: “Science is an endless search for truth. Any representation of reality we develop can be only partial. There is no finality....There is only deeper understanding, more revealing and enveloping representations.” 2004

www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

It has been an honor to innovate with and support the @psumbiome.bsky.social community over the last two years!

Very grateful for this formal recognition of the hard work and passion of this microbiome-loving collective. 🍄🦠💚

Can microbiome adaptations protect crops from pests and climate change? | PNAS Can microbiome adaptations protect crops from pests and climate change?

Thrilled to have my group's work on disease suppressive microbial communities highlighted in the recent PNAS Front Matter!

www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Spatial chemistry of citrus reveals molecules bactericidal to Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus - Scientific Reports Scientific Reports - Spatial chemistry of citrus reveals molecules bactericidal to Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus

We explored HLB-impacted Citrus metabolomes and IDed natural plant-produced anti-CLas compounds: ferulic acid + bioflavonoids.

Interestingly, CLas-infection lowers plant ferulic acid & flavonoid biosynthesis, potentially aiding in pathogen establishment.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Join our incredible community and work on fast-paced, high-impact Microbiome Science projects! 🌏

Join us in beautiful Santa Cruz! EEB is hiring a Coastal or Marine Ecologist more details here: recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF01809