Special Topic Network Structure Overview

WAME aims to address questions and controversies in the field of wild microbiome research by developing a shared conceptual framework with clear definitions and terminology applicable across the different domains in microbiology and evolutionary biology. Events bringing together researchers in complementary areas can help to leverage cross-system knowledge to detect overarching themes and inform novel analytical approaches for maximising insight from the growing numbers of datasets from wild systems. In this regard, we aim to create a platform to generate insights from the wild to build on the work from laboratory systems, thus facilitating translation to ecologically realistic settings to define the role of the microbiome in host evolution.

WAME will also provide inclusive infrastructure to support training and collaboration. As microbiome techniques are developing in many subfields, this aim is particularly timely as it will support development of both science and scientists, particularly those who are not in microbiology-focussed groups; this STN will be invaluable to the early-career researchers in this position.