Jessup Christine M, Kassen Rees, Forde Samantha E, Kerr Ben, Buckling Angus, Rainey Paul B, Bohannan Brendan J M
Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5020, USA.
Trends Ecol Evol. 2004 Apr;19(4):189-97. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2004.01.008.
Although many biologists have embraced microbial model systems as tools to address genetic and physiological questions, the explicit use of microbial communities as model systems in ecology has traditionally been more restricted. Here, we highlight recent studies that use laboratory-based microbial model systems to address ecological questions. Such studies have significantly advanced our understanding of processes that have proven difficult to study in field systems, including the genetic and biochemical underpinnings of traits involved in ecological interactions, and the ecological differences driving evolutionary change. It is the simplicity of microbial model systems that makes them such powerful tools for the study of ecology. Such simplicity enables the high degrees of experimental control and replication that are necessary to address many questions that are inaccessible through field observation or experimentation.
尽管许多生物学家已将微生物模型系统作为解决遗传和生理问题的工具，但传统上，微生物群落作为生态模型系统的明确应用受到更多限制。在这里，我们重点介绍最近利用基于实验室的微生物模型系统来解决生态问题的研究。这些研究显著推进了我们对一些在野外系统中难以研究的过程的理解，包括生态相互作用中所涉及性状的遗传和生化基础，以及驱动进化变化的生态差异。正是微生物模型系统的简单性使其成为生态学研究的强大工具。这种简单性能够实现高度的实验控制和重复，而这对于解决许多无法通过野外观察或实验获取答案的问题而言是必要的。
