2011/12/01 by Pascale Frey‐Klett, Peter Burlinson, Aurélie Deveau +3 · 2 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Probiotics and Fermented Foods #Gut microbiota and health #Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions #Biology #Agriculture #Microbial ecology #Biotechnology #Microbiology #Ecology #Bacteria #Genetics
paper · doi:10.1128/mmbr.00020-11
openalex publication_date 2011/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Bacteria and fungi can form a range of physical associations that depend on various modes of molecular communication for their development and functioning. These bacterial-fungal interactions often result in changes to the pathogenicity or the nutritional influence of one or both partners toward plants or animals (including humans). They can also result in unique contributions to biogeochemical cycles and biotechnological processes. Thus, the interactions between bacteria and fungi are of central importance to numerous biological questions in agriculture, forestry, environmental science, food production, and medicine. Here we present a structured review of bacterial-fungal interactions, illustrated by examples sourced from many diverse scientific fields. We consider the general and specific properties of these interactions, providing a global perspective across this emerging multidisciplinary research area. We show that in many cases, parallels can be drawn between different scenarios in which bacterial-fungal interactions are important. Finally, we discuss how new avenues of investigation may enhance our ability to combat, manipulate, or exploit bacterial-fungal complexes for the economic and practical benefit of humanity as well as reshape our current understanding of bacterial and fungal ecology.