7th joint conference "Joint Microbiology & Infection Conference 2024" of the DGHM and VAAM

Abstract: Bacterial siderophores are a chemically diverse group of secondary metabolites to scavenge iron from natural sources. Here, I show how secreted siderophores can induce various types of social interactions among bacteria. They can serve as signalling molecules to coordinate bacterial activities in clonal groups. As iron carriers, they can be cooperatively shared among cells that possess matching receptors for ferri-siderophore uptake. Finally, siderophores can be deployed as competitive agents to withhold iron from competitors with non-matching receptors. Using data from the single-cell to the microbiome level, I explain how these interactions guide evolutionary and ecological dynamics in bacterial communities and how siderophores can be harnessed for human interventions against pathogens.

Siderophores as drivers of bacterial communication, cooperation, and competition

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