From “synthetic” to defined microbial communities for clearer terminology

Nature Communications 2026 Open access

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Authors: Hanna Koch, Thomas Clavel, Cintia Mayr, Benjamin L. Coltman, Michael Schloter, Julia A. Vorholt, Yolanda Sanz, Tomislav Cernava, Gwyn A. Beattie, Lene Lange, Stéphane Chaillou, Ákos T. Kovács
+21 more Hauke Smidt, Corné M. J. Pieterse, Tanja Kostić, Omri M. Finkel, Christopher E. Lawson, Luca Cocolin, Jesús Mercado‐Blanco, Robert D. Finn, Kalliope K. Papadopoulou, Matthew Ryan, Marco Candela, Paul D. Cotter, Gabriele Berg, Órla O’Sullivan, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo, Pankaj Trivedi, Trevor C. Charles, Brajesh K. Singh, Günter Brader, Malek Marian, Angela Sessitsch
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-74251-1
Cited by: 10
References: 30

Abstract

Consortia of microbial isolates, also known as synthetic communities (SynComs), are increasingly used to study and harness microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions. Since “synthetic” potentially evokes negative connotations, we propose adopting the term “Defined Microbial Community” for practical applications.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions

Publication details

Journal / source
Nature Communications
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
17
Issue
1
Publication date
8 June 2026
Language
EN