Cultivating a Relationship with Gut Bacteria

Abstract

While the gut microbiome largely benefits host physiology, the impact of symbiosis on bacterial fitness has not been rigorously investigated. In this issue, Storelli et al. (2018) provide evidence that Drosophila actively cultivate a relationship with the growth-promoting bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum, delivering mutual benefits under nutrient-poor conditions.

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