Public goods impact S. aureus proliferation in the context of the nasal microbiome

Sprecher: Simon Heilbronner (LMU München)

Gastgeberin: Andreas Peschel (CMFI)

Datum & Uhrzeit: 05.06.2025 | 12:30 – 14:00 Uhr

Ort:  Hörsaal 3M07, GUZ

Öffentliche Veranstaltung. Keine Anmeldung erforderlich.

Abstract:

Staphylococcus aureus is a common colonizer of the human nasal cavity and a significant opportunistic pathogen. Despite its clinical relevance, the role of the nasal microbiome in modulating S. aureus colonization remains poorly understood. The nasal environment represents a nutrient-limited niche, suggesting that microbial competition and cooperation over scarce resources are critical determinants of colonization dynamics. The group of Simon Heilbronner investigates nutrient-based interactions between S. aureus and nasal commensal bacteria both in vitro and in gnotobiotic animal models. The findings reveal that "public goods"—shared metabolites such as siderophores, amino acids and vitamins—facilitate diverse interspecies interactions. These shared resources can either promote or inhibit S. aureus growth, depending on the microbial context. This highlights the central role of nutrient sharing in shaping microbial ecology within the human nose and underscores potential avenues for microbiome-based interventions to prevent S. aureus colonisation. In this talk the focus will be laid on the relevance of biotin biosynthesis and acquisition for competitive fitness of S. aureus within the nasal microbiome.