The article "Host Biology in Light of the Microbiome: Ten Principles of Holobionts and Hologenomes" by Seth R. Bordenstein and Kevin R. Theis explores the concept of holobionts and hologenomes, which challenge traditional views of host biology by integrating the host with its associated microbes as a single biological unit. The authors argue that the holobiont is not an autonomous organism but a complex network of the host and its microbiota, with the hologenome encompassing the host's genome, organelles, and microbiome. This concept redefines the understanding of evolution, genetics, and ecology, emphasizing the role of symbiotic microbes in shaping host biology. The ten principles of holobionts and hologenomes highlight the importance of microbial interactions in evolution, genetics, and ecology. These principles include the idea that holobionts are units of biological organization, not organ systems or superorganisms, and that the hologenome is a comprehensive gene system. The concept also reboots elements of Lamarckian evolution, integrates all mechanisms of mutation, and accommodates multilevel selection theory. The authors argue that the hologenome concept is essential for understanding the complexity of biological systems and that it challenges traditional reductionist approaches in biology. The article also discusses the implications of the hologenome concept for evolutionary biology, emphasizing the role of symbiotic microbes in speciation and the need for a holistic approach to studying biological complexity. The authors suggest that the hologenome concept provides a framework for understanding the interplay between host and microbial genomes, and that it is crucial for advancing the study of evolutionary and ecological genetics. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of integrating the holobiont and hologenome concepts into the broader framework of biology to better understand the complexity of life.The article "Host Biology in Light of the Microbiome: Ten Principles of Holobionts and Hologenomes" by Seth R. Bordenstein and Kevin R. Theis explores the concept of holobionts and hologenomes, which challenge traditional views of host biology by integrating the host with its associated microbes as a single biological unit. The authors argue that the holobiont is not an autonomous organism but a complex network of the host and its microbiota, with the hologenome encompassing the host's genome, organelles, and microbiome. This concept redefines the understanding of evolution, genetics, and ecology, emphasizing the role of symbiotic microbes in shaping host biology. The ten principles of holobionts and hologenomes highlight the importance of microbial interactions in evolution, genetics, and ecology. These principles include the idea that holobionts are units of biological organization, not organ systems or superorganisms, and that the hologenome is a comprehensive gene system. The concept also reboots elements of Lamarckian evolution, integrates all mechanisms of mutation, and accommodates multilevel selection theory. The authors argue that the hologenome concept is essential for understanding the complexity of biological systems and that it challenges traditional reductionist approaches in biology. The article also discusses the implications of the hologenome concept for evolutionary biology, emphasizing the role of symbiotic microbes in speciation and the need for a holistic approach to studying biological complexity. The authors suggest that the hologenome concept provides a framework for understanding the interplay between host and microbial genomes, and that it is crucial for advancing the study of evolutionary and ecological genetics. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of integrating the holobiont and hologenome concepts into the broader framework of biology to better understand the complexity of life.