Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 30 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01381-0Microbial interventions offer sustainable opportunities to enhance soil health and ecosystem functioning, but they can also have unintended ecological consequences. This Comment explores their benefits and risks, arguing for a shift in perspective from microbial products as agricultural inputs to tools for ecological restoration.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 22 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01378-9This study shows that rewetting activates a small, distinct subset of dryland biocrust bacteria, with mature communities showing greater microbial activity independent of light conditions.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 21 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01364-1In this Review, Reinke examines recent advances in microsporidia research, from their evolution, to host invasion, proliferation, transmission, host interaction, immune evasion, detection and treatment, with a focus on species that infect humans, agriculturally important hosts and model systems.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 28 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01367-yIn this Review, van Sinderen and colleagues explore how bifidobacteria evolved as an important human gut symbiont, highlighting genomic adaptations, metabolic versatility, ecological interactions and host-modulatory functions.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 24 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01379-8This Genome Watch discusses recent evidence on the interactions among a plant, a fungal pathogen, its bacterial endosymbiont and the rhizosphere microbiome, highlighting how such multipartite relationships shape plant health and disease, with implications for crop productivity in an era of global change.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 16 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01375-yIn this study, Semon and colleagues examine the role of Clostridioides difficile colonization in early life and its lasting effects on host development.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 15 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01374-zIn this study, Liu and colleagues constructed engineered living materials to facilitate cross-feeding between anammox and dinitrifier species for efficient nitrate removal.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 22 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01378-9This study shows that rewetting activates a small, distinct subset of dryland biocrust bacteria, with mature communities showing greater microbial activity independent of light conditions.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 21 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01364-1In this Review, Reinke examines recent advances in microsporidia research, from their evolution, to host invasion, proliferation, transmission, host interaction, immune evasion, detection and treatment, with a focus on species that infect humans, agriculturally important hosts and model systems.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 16 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01375-yIn this study, Semon and colleagues examine the role of Clostridioides difficile colonization in early life and its lasting effects on host development.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 09 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01368-xThere is a growing awareness and visibility of neurodivergent people and our needs, but we still face workplace challenges. ND in Micro is a new global network that aims to connect, peer-support and raise the profile of neurodivergent microbiologists and our science through virtual and in-person activities and resources.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 15 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01374-zIn this study, Liu and colleagues constructed engineered living materials to facilitate cross-feeding between anammox and dinitrifier species for efficient nitrate removal.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 08 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01363-2Microbiome-based approaches can support climate-smart agriculture by promoting regenerative farming, eco-friendly land restoration and emissions reduction. In low-income settings, which are disproportionately affected by agricultural land degradation, these strategies can improve nutrient efficiency and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 07 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01365-0This Genome Watch explores how contamination and methodological assumptions influence the detection of tumour-associated microorganisms, highlighting the need for prospective, contamination-aware sequencing to distinguish biological signal from technical noise.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 07 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01366-zThis study reports that colibactin production can protect honeybees against invading pathogenic bacteria, whereas co-evolved resident symbionts are protected by a resistance gene that allows them to coexist with the colibactin-producing bacteria.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 09 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01368-xThere is a growing awareness and visibility of neurodivergent people and our needs, but we still face workplace challenges. ND in Micro is a new global network that aims to connect, peer-support and raise the profile of neurodivergent microbiologists and our science through virtual and in-person activities and resources.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 01 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01361-4Fungal Starship transposons for interspecies gene transfer

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 08 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01363-2Microbiome-based approaches can support climate-smart agriculture by promoting regenerative farming, eco-friendly land restoration and emissions reduction. In low-income settings, which are disproportionately affected by agricultural land degradation, these strategies can improve nutrient efficiency and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 07 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01366-zThis study reports that colibactin production can protect honeybees against invading pathogenic bacteria, whereas co-evolved resident symbionts are protected by a resistance gene that allows them to coexist with the colibactin-producing bacteria.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 07 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01365-0This Genome Watch explores how contamination and methodological assumptions influence the detection of tumour-associated microorganisms, highlighting the need for prospective, contamination-aware sequencing to distinguish biological signal from technical noise.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 27 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01352-5In this Review, Iredell and colleagues examine key aspects of phage biology and their relevance to phage therapy, and outline current approaches for clinical application of phages, along with their associated challenges.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 27 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01359-yIn this Review, Littlejohn et al. discuss the gut microbiota as a central contributor to malnutrition, including undernutrition, overnutrition, the double burden, and disease-related malnutrition. They synthesize evidence linking alterations in the gut microbiota to impaired nutrient utilization, inflammation and altered energy balance and discuss microbiota-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for improving outcomes across diverse populations and settings.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 01 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01361-4Fungal Starship transposons for interspecies gene transfer

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 21 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01354-3In this Review, Schubert and Hardt explore the metabolic strategies that Enterobacteriaceae use to establish themselves in the gut, and how they adapt to inflammatory conditions in this environment.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 27 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01352-5In this Review, Iredell and colleagues examine key aspects of phage biology and their relevance to phage therapy, and outline current approaches for clinical application of phages, along with their associated challenges.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 27 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01359-yIn this Review, Littlejohn et al. discuss the gut microbiota as a central contributor to malnutrition, including undernutrition, overnutrition, the double burden, and disease-related malnutrition. They synthesize evidence linking alterations in the gut microbiota to impaired nutrient utilization, inflammation and altered energy balance and discuss microbiota-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for improving outcomes across diverse populations and settings.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 19 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01351-6In this Review, Heaver and Ley overview the different lipid structures present in commensal and pathogenic bacteria and their recognition by Toll-like receptor 2, Toll-like receptor 4 and CD1 molecules, highlighting the different effects on host immune responses.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 19 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01353-4In this Review, Papenfort discusses established and emerging aspects of bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs), their molecular mechanisms and regulatory principles, and the global impact of sRNAs on cellular gene expression profiles.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 19 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01360-5This study shows that that Candida auris displays chitin on the surface that alters skin immune responses to promote persistent colonization.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 21 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01354-3In this Review, Schubert and Hardt explore the metabolic strategies that Enterobacteriaceae use to establish themselves in the gut, and how they adapt to inflammatory conditions in this environment.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 13 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01358-zSoil biodiversity underpins ecosystem functioning and plant health, yet the incredible diversity of below-ground microorganisms remains largely overlooked in conservation efforts. This Comment outlines four key challenges to soil microbial conservation and emphasizes the importance of addressing them to safeguard soil biodiversity.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 12 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41598-026-62801-yModel-free multiparametric analysis of SHG images reveals collagen signatures in breast cancer

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 12 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41598-026-66901-7Development of samarium-153 oxide loaded polystyrene radiotracer particles for gamma scintigraphy of whole gastrointestinal transit study

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 12 August 2026; doi:10.1057/s41599-026-08691-xService trade liberalization and manufacturing value chain upgrading: a quasi-natural experiment from China

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 12 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41598-026-66659-yExperiences of kinesiophobia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a qualitative phenomenological study

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 12 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41598-026-66068-1Multi-level violence recognition via hybrid convolutional-attention and recurrent architectures

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 12 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01346-3This Focus issue explores the links between climate change and infectious diseases and highlights the need for integrated, climate-informed responses. More broadly, this topic highlights the inequalities associated with the dual challenge posed by infectious diseases and climate change, with the greatest burdens falling on vulnerable populations.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 19 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01351-6In this Review, Heaver and Ley overview the different lipid structures present in commensal and pathogenic bacteria and their recognition by Toll-like receptor 2, Toll-like receptor 4 and CD1 molecules, highlighting the different effects on host immune responses.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 19 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01360-5This study shows that that Candida auris displays chitin on the surface that alters skin immune responses to promote persistent colonization.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 19 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01353-4In this Review, Papenfort discusses established and emerging aspects of bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs), their molecular mechanisms and regulatory principles, and the global impact of sRNAs on cellular gene expression profiles.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 13 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01358-zSoil biodiversity underpins ecosystem functioning and plant health, yet the incredible diversity of below-ground microorganisms remains largely overlooked in conservation efforts. This Comment outlines four key challenges to soil microbial conservation and emphasizes the importance of addressing them to safeguard soil biodiversity.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 06 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01357-0This study reports that fast-growing intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis evades antibiotic treatment.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 04 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01356-1In a recent study, Shalev and colleagues demonstrate that enhanced resource diversity in microbial communities can reduce microbial biodiversity, challenging current ecological theories.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 03 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01355-2In a recent study, Karash and colleagues provide evidence for a resistance mechanism in which plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance genes are horizontally transferred from transiently infecting bacteria to antibiotic-sensitive pathogens residing in patients’ lungs.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 31 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01350-7In this Review, Zhu and colleagues overview the major types of soil pollution in the Anthropocene and their effects on soil microbiome composition, function and dynamics, while also exploring microbiome-based strategies to manage and mitigate soil pollution and safeguard environmental, plant, animal and human health.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 06 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01357-0This study reports that fast-growing intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis evades antibiotic treatment.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 04 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01356-1In a recent study, Shalev and colleagues demonstrate that enhanced resource diversity in microbial communities can reduce microbial biodiversity, challenging current ecological theories.

Nature Reviews Endocrinology, Published online: 30 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41574-026-01286-1In this Review, the authors describe evidence linking the gut microbiota to bone fractures. They discuss findings from rodent models and human studies on the effects of the gut microbiota on bone and muscle and explore the mechanisms through which the gut microbiota is associated with bone fractures.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 03 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01355-2In a recent study, Karash and colleagues provide evidence for a resistance mechanism in which plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance genes are horizontally transferred from transiently infecting bacteria to antibiotic-sensitive pathogens residing in patients’ lungs.