Stromatolites are remarkable bio-mineralizing structures that remain abundant on Earth today. Formed by microbial communities, these bio-sedimentary rocks provide a continuous record of microbial evolution over the last 3.5 billion years. They were first described 120 years ago by the German geologist Ernst Louis Kalkowsky and have recently gained extensive interest across the interdisciplinary fields of the bio-geosciences. Current research is advancing our ability to reconstruct ancient aqueous environments and their associated microbial communities, shedding light on their role in shaping bio-geochemical cycles. Moreover, stromatolites are recognized as possible targets in the search for extraterrestrial life within our Solar System. This issue reviews the latest advances in stromatolite research from a combined geobiology, mineralogy, and (isotope) geochemistry perspective. It also underscores the urgent need to protect these endangered microbial ecosystems on a fast-changing modern Earth.

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