Bird microbiome research hits a wall—here's how scientists plan to fix it
Scientists studying how bacteria shape bird health and evolution face major technical hurdles that are slowing progress. A new roadmap from European researchers identifies these obstacles and proposes solutions, offering a blueprint for the emerging field to scale up and unlock insights valuable to conservation, agriculture, and disease prevention.
Originaltitel: Bridging the gap: improving methodologies for future avian microbiome research
<p>Recent advances in the field of wild avian microbiome research have significantly deepened our understanding of the eco-evolutionary dynamics of bird-microbe interactions. Consequently, the field is now approaching a pivotal moment in uncovering the ultimate factors shaping avian microbiome structure, especially in relation to birds' ecological, evolutionary, and dietary diversity. Yet, avian microbiome researchers face persistent methodological challenges. Based on discussions from a round table session at the 2023 European Ornithologists' Union Congress in Lund, Sweden, which brought together researchers studying host-microbe interactions across avian systems, here we highlight shared obstacles and potential solutions to strengthen the prospects of the field. This work outlines and discusses key challenges faced, and considerations to be taken into account by avian microbiome researchers throughout the scientific process, while pinpointing areas of research that need attention to advance the field. Disseminating these insights can foster innovation and collaboration, while providing a roadmap for young and new scientists who are interested in the field of avian microbiomes.</p>