title: Tracking microbial interactions with NanoSIMS.
abstract: The combination of stable isotope probing (SIP), NanoSIMS imaging and microbe identification via fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is often used to link identity to function at the cellular level in microbial communities. Many opportunities remain for nanoSIP to identify metabolic interactions and nutrient fluxes within syntrophic associations and obligate symbioses where exchanges can be extremely rapid. However, additional data, such as genomic potential, gene expression or other imaging modalities are often critical to deciphering the mechanisms underlying specific interactions, and researchers must keep sample preparation artefacts in mind. Here we focus on recent applications of nanoSIP, particularly where used to track exchanges of isotopically labelled molecules between organisms. We highlight metabolic interactions within syntrophic consortia, carbon/nitrogen fluxes between phototrophs and their heterotrophic partners, and symbiont-host nutrient sharing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: niculina.musat@ufz.de.
authors.forename: Niculina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Musat
authors.affiliation: Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Florin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Musat
authors.affiliation: Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Peter Kilian
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.affiliation: Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pett-Ridge
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D007553:Isotope Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes