mGem: The two-decade evolution of in vivo coral microbiome manipulations.

Two decades of in vivo coral microbiome manipulation research have identified key probiotic taxa and revealed significant methodological challenges.

• Why it matters: Understanding how to effectively manipulate coral microbiomes is crucial for enhancing coral resilience amid climate change and environmental stressors, yet research gaps hinder practical applications.
• What they did: The review synthesizes 20 years of studies on coral hosts, probiotic taxa, and experimental designs, highlighting common practices and identifying areas needing further investigation.
• The result: Findings expose opportunities to improve probiotic development and facilitate the translation of microbial interventions into effective coral restoration and reef management tools.