Microbial competition between Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus monitored by imaging mass spectrometry

Abstract

Microbial competition exists in the general environment, such as soil or aquatic habitats, upon or within unicellular or multicellular eukaryotic life forms. The molecular actions that govern microbial competition, leading to niche establishment and microbial monopolization, remain undetermined. The emerging technology of imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) enabled the observation that there is directionality in the metabolic output of the organismBacillus subtiliswhen co-cultured withStaphylococcus aureus. The directionally released antibiotic altersS. aureusvirulence factor production and colonization. Therefore, IMS provides insight into the largely hidden nature of competitive microbial encounters and niche establishment, and provides a paradigm for future antibiotic discovery.