A Synthetic Community System for Probing Microbial Interactions Driven by Exometabolites.

ABSTRACT: Though most microorganisms live within a community, we have modest knowledge about microbial interactions and their implications for community properties and ecosystem functions. To advance understanding of microbial interactions, we describe a straightforward synthetic community system that can be used to interrogate exometabolite interactions among microorganisms. The filter plate system (also known as the Transwell system) physically separates microbial populations, but allows for chemical interactions via a shared medium reservoir. Exometabolites, including small molecules, extracellular enzymes, and antibiotics, are assayed from the reservoir using sensitive mass spectrometry. Community member outcomes, such as growth, productivity, and gene regulation, can be determined using flow cy

SUBMITTER: Chodkowski JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5686522 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature