Microbial wars: Competition in ecological niches and within the microbiome

• Published in: Microbial cell Vol. 5; no. 5; pp. 215 - 219
• Main Authors: Bauer, Maria A, Kainz, Katharina, Carmona-Gutierrez, Didac, Madeo, Frank
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Austria Shared Science Publishers OG 07-05-2018
• Subjects: active competition; antibiotics; Candida; ecological stability; Escherichia coli; Microbiology; microbiome; Molecular Biology; niche; passive competition; probiotics; selection; active competition; ecological stability; selection; Candida; Escherichia coli; niche; passive competition; antibiotics; microbiome; probiotics
• ISSN: 2311-2638; 2311-2638
• DOI: 10.15698/mic2018.05.628

Many microbial communities live in highly competitive surroundings, in which the fight for resources determines their survival and genetic persistence. Humans live in a close relationship with microbial communities, which includes the health- and disease-determining interactions with our microbiome. Accordingly, the understanding of microbial competitive activities are essential at physiological and pathophysiological levels. Here we provide a brief overview on microbial competition and discuss some of its roles and consequences that directly affect humans.