Abstract

Understanding the assembly and dynamics of microbial communities is essential for applications ranging from bioremediation to human health. Yet, predicting or engineering the stable coexistence of a desired set of species—a microbial "dream team"—remains a significant challenge. This seminar will explore how microbial species adapt and compete in boom-and-bust environments, characterized by cyclic resource availability, such as serial dilution experiments.

I will introduce a novel framework for engineering microbial communities by designing resource landscapes that support the coexistence of specific species. By manipulating the timing and hierarchy of resource depletion, this strategy leverages temporal niches and advanced nutrient engineering to create conditions where diverse communities can thrive, often exceeding traditional ecological constraints like the competitive exclusion principle.

Additionally, I will discuss how different metabolic strategies—sequential utilization versus co-utilization—impact microbial community structure and stability. Sequential utilizers often display emergent ecological advantages, making them more likely to dominate mature, diverse communities. These findings provide testable predictions for real-world ecosystems and suggest pathways to assemble and control microbial communities with tailored functional properties.

When: Dec 5, 2024 05:30 PM (CET) Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna

Register in advance for this meeting: https://univienna.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Erce-hqTwvEtSbhBHcqM3TNNN4AWNFx65E