Interspecies interactions determine growth dynamics of biopolymer-degrading populations in microbial communities.

ABSTRACT: Microbial communities perform essential ecosystem functions such as the remineralization of organic carbon that exists as biopolymers. The first step in mineralization is performed by biopolymer degraders, which harbor enzymes that can break down polymers into constituent oligo- or monomeric forms. The released nutrients not only allow degraders to grow, but also promote growth of cells that either consume the degradation products, i.e., exploiters, or consume metabolites released by the degraders or exploiters, i.e., scavengers. It is currently not clear how such remineralizing communities assemble at the microscale-how interactions between the different guilds influence their growth and spatial distribution, and hence the development and dynamics of the community. Here, we address this k

SUBMITTER: D'Souza G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10622921 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature