Siderophores are microbial metabolites with a strong affinity for Fe(III) ions, in addition to other roles beyond iron acquisition. In this study, we propose that bacillibactin, a siderophore produced...

Siderophores are microbial metabolites with a strong affinity for Fe(III) ions, in addition to other roles beyond iron acquisition. In this study, we propose that bacillibactin, a siderophore produced...

One Health is an integrative concept striving for healthy environments, animals, and humans. Microbes play a fundamental role for this concept as they are key drivers of ecosystem stability and host h...

Abstract. Bradyrhizobium and Sinorhizobium are dominant soybean microsymbionts in acidic/neutral and alkaline soils, respectively. However, the molecular m

One Health is an integrative concept striving for healthy environments, animals, and humans. Microbes play a fundamental role for this concept as they are key drivers of ecosystem stability and host h...

Siderophores are iron-chelating, low-molecular-weight compounds secreted by microorganisms in iron-deficient environments that enhance iron uptake. When compared to the siderophores produced by terres...

Abstract. Nutritional exchanges fuel the evolutionary and ecological dominance of multi-partner symbioses among reef-building corals and microbial associat

In this Review, Schalk explores the molecular mechanisms involved in siderophore-mediated iron acquisition in bacteria. In addition, the possible applications for siderophores in the environment, agri...

Iron-binding molecules keep olivine dissolving in seawater, helping pull more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Iron is a crucial micronutrient for plants, but its availability in soil is often limited. Iron deficiency compromises plant growth, and low iron content in crops contributes substantially to the ‘hidden hunger’ that affects human health globally. The elucidation of Strategy I (reduction-based) and Strategy II (phytosiderophore-based) for iron acquisition was a milestone in plant biology and enabled the development of biofortification concepts. However, recent genetic evidence reveals that the boundary between the two strategies is blurred, with many plants possessing elements of both. Here we show that plant iron uptake mechanisms are more complex and diverse than the classical dichotomy suggests. We review evidence for this integrative view and highlight the critical role of microbial siderophores. We explain how plants access iron from microbial siderophores not only indirectly through Strategy I and II pathways but also via the direct uptake of iron–siderophore complexes, an overlooked mechanism that we introduce as Strategy III. We propose three potential routes for this direct uptake and conclude that harnessing Strategy III holds great potential for novel agricultural interventions to enhance iron biofortification and improve human health.