Most microbiome research focuses on soil, oceans, or hosts. But the atmosphere itself harbors diverse communities of bacteria and fungi that move between ecosystems. This episode explores a recent mBio study comparing airborne microbial communities above a subalpine forest and a grassland in Colorado.
The conversation unpacks what the “aerobiome” is, how scientists actually sample microbes from the air, and why height, time of day, and season matter. The study reveals striking differences between fungi and bacteria, with fungi showing strong site-specific structure and environmental sensitivity, while bacteria appear more ubiquitous. They also discuss “vertical filtering,” long-distance dispersal, and what these findings mean for pathogen spread, ecosystem connectivity, and climate change.
The atmosphere is not empty space, it is an active conduit connecting microbial life across landscapes.
Subscribe to Editors in Conversation on , , , or and never miss an episode.
Guests:
- Carolyn R. Cornell, Ph.D., Department of Agricultural BiologyColorado State University
- Jane E. Stewart, Ph.D., Department of Agricultural BiologyColorado State University
Links:
- .
This episode of Editors in Conversation is brought to you by mBio® and hosted by mBio Editor in Chief, Marvin Whiteley, Ph.D.
Visit mbio to read articles and/or submit a manuscript.
Receive up to 50% off fees when you publish in mBio® or any of the 91鶹 journals by becoming an 91鶹 member. Sign up at asm.org/joinasm.