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Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) is the most wide-spread symbiotic association of plants. It involves the intracellular colonization of root cortex cells by AM fungi, a monophyletic clade of obligate symbionts known as the Glomeromycotina. AM can be found in virtually all ecological niches, and they often play an essential role in plant nutrition. In addition, AM increase stress tolerance and disease resistance of their host. In recent years, AM fungi have become increasingly recognized as tools for strategies to develop more sustainable agricultural systems. An efficient use of AM for crop production requires a detailed understanding of the processes involved in the establishment and functioning of AM. Molecular-genetic research on model systems of the last decades has tremendously advanced our understanding about mutual recognition between the symbiotic partners, and about early symbiotic signaling. In addition, the AM-associated transcriptional reprogramming of the partners has been described in considerable detail, revealing many important AM-related genes, of which many remain to be functionally characterized. One of the leading model systems in this research has been Medicago truncatula. In this chapter we summarize the current status of AM-related research in general, with particular emphasis on important contributions coming from M. truncatula.