A dual decomposition strategy of both microbial and phenotypic components for a better understanding of causal claims

Gregor P. Greslehner (1) , Maël Lemoine (1)

1 ImmunoConcept - Immunology from Concept and Experiments to Translation

In our commentary on Lynch et al.'s target paper (2019, this issue), we focus on decomposition as a research strategy. We argue that not only the presumptive microbial causes but also their supposed phenotypic effects need to be decomposed relative to each other. Such a dual decomposition strategy ought to improve the way in which causal claims in microbiome research can be made and understood.

Mots clés: Microbiome; Phenotype; Decomposition; Causality

Domaines: Philosophie; Microbiologie et Parasitologie

Gregor P. Greslehner, Maël Lemoine. A dual decomposition strategy of both microbial and phenotypic components for a better understanding of causal claims. Biology and Philosophy, 2020, 35 (1), ⟨10.1007/s10539-019-9708-9⟩. ⟨hal-02285770v2⟩