In multicellular systems, engineering-controlled cell–cell adhesion and metabolic interdependence are vital for developing complex functionalities. This study introduces a yeast synthetic toolbox for modular cell–cell adhesion and cocultures, aiming to overcome the limitations of existing approaches that lack genetic specificity and control. First, a model yeast strain 007Δ is created with seven main flocculation and agglutination genes removed, providing a clean background for synthetic adhesion systems. Then, three distinct adhesion pair systems—Strategy 1, Strategy 2.1 and Strategy 2.2—are established involving yeast flocculation and agglutination proteins and yeast surface display systems. In addition, a quantitative assessment is conducted on the adhesive specificity and strength, alongside the capability of synthetic adhesion to generate patterns. Finally, we successfully demonstrate enhanced bioproduction of the high-value food antioxidant, resveratrol, utilizing synthetic cocul

We investigated the prevalence of metabolic dependencies in soil microbial communities. Up to 50% of isolated bacteria could not produce all amino acids required for growth but grew in cocultures with...

Nature Microbiology, Published online: 25 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02456-7We investigated the prevalence of metabolic dependencies in soil microbial communities. Up to 50% of isolated bacteria could not produce all amino acids required for growth but grew in cocultures with co-occurring strains that release the missing metabolites. We also provide evidence for three main mechanisms that probably drove the evolution of metabolic dependencies.

Coral reefs are hotspots of marine biodiversity, which results in the synthesis of a wide variety of compounds with unique molecular scaffolds, and bioactivities, rendering reefs an ecosystem of interest. The chemodiversity stems from the intricate relationships between inhabitants of the reef, as the chemistry produced partakes in intra- and interspecies communication, settlement, nutrient acquisition, and defense. However, the coral reefs are declining at an unprecedented rate due to climate change, pollution, and increased incidence of pathogenic diseases. Among pathogens, Vibrio spp. bacteria are key players resulting in high mortality. Thus, alternative strategies such as application of beneficial bacteria isolated from disease-resilient species are being explored to lower the burden of pathogenic species. Here, we apply coculturing of a coral-derived pathogenic species of Vibrio and beneficial bacteria and leverage recent advancements in untargeted metabolomics to discover engineerable beneficial traits. By chasing chemical change in coculture, we report Microbulbifer spp.-mediated degradation of amphibactins, produced by Vibrio spp. bacteria to sequester iron. Additional biochemical experiments revealed that the degradation occurs in the peptide backbone and requires the enzyme fraction of Microbulbifer. A reduction in iron affinity is expected due to the loss of one Fe(III) binding moiety. Therefore, we hypothesize that this degradation shapes community behaviors as it pertains to iron acquisition, a limiting nutrient in the marine environment, and survival. Furthermore, Vibrio sp. bacteria suppressed natural product synthesis by beneficial bacteria. Understanding biochemical mechanisms behind these interactions will enable engineering probiotic bacteria capable of lowering pathogenic burdens during heat waves and incidence of disease.

Braams et al. establish 3D aggregate cocultures (ABOs) generating functional B cells from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). ABOs recapitulate the B cell developmental arrest of RAG1-deficient HSPCs, which is rescued by RAG1 gene correction, and thus provide a valuable tool to study B cell immunodeficiencies and test gene therapy strategies.

Highlighted Article: A novel method for compartmentalised mouse myelinating Schwann cell–DRG neuron cocultures, showing that Schwann cell myelination status does not influence their axon protective ...

Two novel macrolide hybrids, cladoescherins A and B (1 and 2), and a rare macrolide dimer, dithiocladospolide (3), were identified from cocultures of Cladosporium sp. and Escherichia coli. Compounds 1...

BACKGROUNDFracture is one of the most pervasive injuries in the musculoskeletal system, and there is a complex interaction between macrophages and adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in fracture healing. However, two-dimensional (2D)

Genetic and genomic studies of brain disease increasingly...

Genetic and genomic studies of brain disease increasingly...

Cellular & Molecular Immunology - Human liver immunology: from in vitro models to new insights