Mapping the ecological networks of microbial communities

Nat Commun. 2017 Dec 11;8(1):2042. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-02090-2.

Abstract

Mapping the ecological networks of microbial communities is a necessary step toward understanding their assembly rules and predicting their temporal behavior. However, existing methods require assuming a particular population dynamics model, which is not known a priori. Moreover, those methods require fitting longitudinal abundance data, which are often not informative enough for reliable inference. To overcome these limitations, here we develop a new method based on steady-state abundance data. Our method can infer the network topology and inter-taxa interaction types without assuming any particular population dynamics model. Additionally, when the population dynamics is assumed to follow the classic Generalized Lotka-Volterra model, our method can infer the inter-taxa interaction strengths and intrinsic growth rates. We systematically validate our method using simulated data, and then apply it to four experimental data sets. Our method represents a key step towards reliable modeling of complex, real-world microbial communities, such as the human gut microbiota.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Bacteria / classification
  • Bacteria / growth & development
  • Ecosystem*
  • Escherichia coli / classification
  • Escherichia coli / physiology
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / physiology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Microbial Interactions / physiology*
  • Microbiota / physiology*
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Plant Roots / microbiology
  • Soil Microbiology
  • Species Specificity
  • Zea mays / microbiology