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'Til death do us part': coming to terms with symbiotic relationships

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Abstract

Symbiotic interactions of microorganisms are widespread in nature, and support fundamentally important processes in diverse areas of biology that range from health and disease to ecology and the environment. Here, David Relman discusses the selection of articles in this Focus issue, which reflects the exciting advances in our understanding of intimate partnerships between organisms and their environments.

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Figure 1: Features of the Anabaena–Rhizobium symbiosis.

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Acknowledgements

D.A.R. is supported by a National Institutes of Health Director's Pioneer Award and a Doris Duke Distinguished Clinical Scientist Award.

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  1. David A. Relman is Professor of Microbiology & Immunology, and of Medicine at Stanford University, and Chief of Infectious Diseases at VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Building 101, Room B4-185, 3801 Miranda Avenue 154T, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA. relman@stanford.edu,

    David A. Relman

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Relman, D. 'Til death do us part': coming to terms with symbiotic relationships. Nat Rev Microbiol 6, 721–724 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro1990

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