Breaking the reproducibility barrier with standardized protocols for plant-microbiome research.

ABSTRACT: Inter-laboratory replicability is crucial yet challenging in microbiome research. Leveraging microbiomes to promote soil health and plant growth requires understanding underlying molecular mechanisms using reproducible experimental systems. In a global collaborative effort involving five laboratories, we aimed to help advance reproducibility in microbiome studies by testing our ability to replicate synthetic community assembly experiments. Our study compared fabricated ecosystems constructed using two different synthetic bacterial communities, the model grass Brachypodium distachyon, and sterile EcoFAB 2.0 devices. All participating laboratories observed consistent inoculum-dependent changes in plant phenotype, root exudate composition, and final bacterial community structure, where Parabu

SUBMITTER: Novak V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12416739 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature