What can we learn from microbes?

prof. dr. Maja Rupnik

Maribor, Slovenia

Institute of Public

Health Maribor

Medical Faculty

University of Maribor

Same patterns everywhere

Microbiologist’s perspective

bacteria viruses fungi algae parasites

Microorganisms – small but important

Microorganisms – small but important

Microorganisms – small but important

Microorganisms – small but important

Life on Earth depends on microorganisms

The meaning of life of a microorganism

food

The meaning of life of an microorganism

food

• how advances in microbiology have/will

improve quality of our life

• what can we learn when observing

microorganisms – parallels between micro and

macro world

Problems in paradise?

food

Heterogeneity is good

• cooperation

• comunication

• tolerance

• antagonism

low cell density high cell density

Quorum sensing - bacterial communication

critical

mass

reached

Quorum sensing - bacterial communication

• start producing toxins

(antibiotics)

• start to shine

• start degrading food

(food industry,…)

critical

mass

reached

Bacterial cooperation

and cheaters

Useful microbes

food

BIOREMEDIATION

toxic compound side products (WASTE)

Useful microbes

food

BIOREMEDIATION

toxic compound side products (WASTE)

ethanol, butanol

CO2

Microbes and humans

food

Interactions between humans and microbes are

different

beneficial microbes

normal microbiota

(skin, mucosal surfaces, gut)

harmful microbes

pathogens

infectious diseases

Gut microbiota

deep see ecosystems grass eating animals

Human gut microbiota

Immunity

protection from pathogens (gut and elsewhere)

allergies

Gut-brain axis

anxieties, depression, emotional behavior

Metabolism

obesity, metabolic disorders