Bacteriophage-driven microbial phenotypic heterogeneity: ecological and biogeochemical importance

Abstract Bacteriophages (phages) reprogram host metabolism and generate phenotypic heterogeneity, yet the mechanisms and ecological implications remain poorly understood representing a major knowledge gap in microbial ecology. This review explores how phage infection alters microbial physiology, con...

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Main Authors: Xiaolong Liang, Shuo Yang, Mark Radosevich, Yongfeng Wang, Ning Duan, Yongfeng Jia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00727-5
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author Xiaolong Liang
Shuo Yang
Mark Radosevich
Yongfeng Wang
Ning Duan
Yongfeng Jia
author_facet Xiaolong Liang
Shuo Yang
Mark Radosevich
Yongfeng Wang
Ning Duan
Yongfeng Jia
author_sort Xiaolong Liang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Bacteriophages (phages) reprogram host metabolism and generate phenotypic heterogeneity, yet the mechanisms and ecological implications remain poorly understood representing a major knowledge gap in microbial ecology. This review explores how phage infection alters microbial physiology, contributes to single-cell variation, and influences population dynamics. We highlight the potential consequences of phage-driven heterogeneity for microbial community structure and biogeochemical cycling, underscoring the importance of integrating phage-host interactions into ecological and ecosystem models.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2055-5008
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
spelling doaj-art-6773cab7d24c470c97e563e9069cfb0a2025-08-20T03:48:15ZengNature Portfolionpj Biofilms and Microbiomes2055-50082025-05-0111111210.1038/s41522-025-00727-5Bacteriophage-driven microbial phenotypic heterogeneity: ecological and biogeochemical importanceXiaolong Liang0Shuo Yang1Mark Radosevich2Yongfeng Wang3Ning Duan4Yongfeng Jia5CAS Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Silviculture, Key Laboratory of Pollution Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of SciencesSchool of Life Sciences, Fudan UniversityDepartment of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, The University of TennesseeCAS Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Silviculture, Key Laboratory of Pollution Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of SciencesDepartment of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, The University of TennesseeCAS Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Silviculture, Key Laboratory of Pollution Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of SciencesAbstract Bacteriophages (phages) reprogram host metabolism and generate phenotypic heterogeneity, yet the mechanisms and ecological implications remain poorly understood representing a major knowledge gap in microbial ecology. This review explores how phage infection alters microbial physiology, contributes to single-cell variation, and influences population dynamics. We highlight the potential consequences of phage-driven heterogeneity for microbial community structure and biogeochemical cycling, underscoring the importance of integrating phage-host interactions into ecological and ecosystem models.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00727-5
spellingShingle Xiaolong Liang
Shuo Yang
Mark Radosevich
Yongfeng Wang
Ning Duan
Yongfeng Jia
Bacteriophage-driven microbial phenotypic heterogeneity: ecological and biogeochemical importance
npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
title Bacteriophage-driven microbial phenotypic heterogeneity: ecological and biogeochemical importance
title_full Bacteriophage-driven microbial phenotypic heterogeneity: ecological and biogeochemical importance
title_fullStr Bacteriophage-driven microbial phenotypic heterogeneity: ecological and biogeochemical importance
title_full_unstemmed Bacteriophage-driven microbial phenotypic heterogeneity: ecological and biogeochemical importance
title_short Bacteriophage-driven microbial phenotypic heterogeneity: ecological and biogeochemical importance
title_sort bacteriophage driven microbial phenotypic heterogeneity ecological and biogeochemical importance
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00727-5
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AT shuoyang bacteriophagedrivenmicrobialphenotypicheterogeneityecologicalandbiogeochemicalimportance
AT markradosevich bacteriophagedrivenmicrobialphenotypicheterogeneityecologicalandbiogeochemicalimportance
AT yongfengwang bacteriophagedrivenmicrobialphenotypicheterogeneityecologicalandbiogeochemicalimportance
AT ningduan bacteriophagedrivenmicrobialphenotypicheterogeneityecologicalandbiogeochemicalimportance
AT yongfengjia bacteriophagedrivenmicrobialphenotypicheterogeneityecologicalandbiogeochemicalimportance