Innovative chemical biology tools for monitoring activity in complex microbiomes

The functional analysis of complex microbiomes is hindered by their cellular heterogeneity and dynamic interactions. Conventional approaches often lack the resolution to resolve the metabolic activity of individual cells in situ. Recent advances in chemical biology have introduced powerful tools—such as bioorthogonal chemistry, stable isotope probing (SIP), and single-cell phenotyping—that enable non-destructive, high-resolution profiling of microbial activity across diverse ecosystems. These techniques bridge the gap between genotype and phenotype by targeting translational and metabolic functions in live cells, including uncultured or low-abundance taxa. This review outlines the principles, applications, and current limitations of these tools, including challenges in probe biocompatibility, throughput, and spectral or isotopic data analysis. We highlight recent innovations, including BONCAT-FACS integration, automated SIP platforms, and microfluidic Raman-activated cell sorting (RACS), which enhance analytical scalability. Emphasis is placed on the integration of chemical biology tools with multi-omics workflows to generate causal insights into microbial function. By addressing key technical and analytical barriers, these tools promise to expand our capacity to monitor and manipulate microbiomes for applications in ecology, biotechnology, and health. Their continued development will be critical for unlocking the functional potential of microbial communities across environmental and engineered systems. © 2025 The Author(s)