Maja Rupnik, University of Maribor, Slovenia What can we learn from microbes? http://obc2012.outofthebox.si/

1. What can we learn from microbes?
prof. dr. Maja Rupnik
Maribor, Slovenia
Institute of Public Medical Faculty
Health Maribor University of Maribor

2. Same patterns everywhere

3. Microbiologist’s perspective
bacteria viruses algae
fungi parasites

4. Microorganisms – small but important

5. Microorganisms – small but important

6. Microorganisms – small but important

7. Microorganisms – small but important

8. Life on Earth depends on microorganisms

9. The meaning of life of a microorganism
food

10. 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

11. Problems in paradise?
food

12. Heterogeneity is good
• cooperation
• comunication
• tolerance
• antagonism

13. Quorum sensing - bacterial communication
low cell density high cell density
critical
mass
reached

14. Quorum sensing - bacterial communication
• start producing toxins
(antibiotics)
critical • start to shine
mass
reached
• start degrading food
(food industry,…)

15. Bacterial cooperation
and cheaters

16. Useful microbes
food
toxic compound side products (WASTE)
BIOREMEDIATION

17. Useful microbes
food
toxic compound side products (WASTE)
ethanol, butanol
BIOREMEDIATION CO2

18. Microbes and humans
food

19. Interactions between humans and microbes are
different
beneficial microbes harmful microbes
normal microbiota pathogens
(skin, mucosal surfaces, gut) infectious diseases

20. Gut microbiota
deep see ecosystems
grass eating animals

21. Human gut microbiota
Immunity
protection from pathogens (gut and elsewhere)
allergies
Gut-brain axis
anxieties, depression, emotional behavior
Metabolism
obesity, metabolic disorders