Microbiomes and Holobionts

This article highlights the history of microbiome research from its roots in pure culture microbiology and molecular genetics to modern day –omics research and the incorporation of host biology in the rise of holobionts and hologenomics. It details the major methodologies and data analysis techniques used in microbiome research. The article also gives an overview of major research fields and questions associated with microbiome research. It ends with a discussion of contemporary controversies about the utility of the concepts of dysbiosis and the hologenome theory of evolution.