270127 VU The Chemistry of Microbial Interactions (2025W)

This lecture provides a comprehensive understanding of central concepts and principles in the chemistry of microbial interactions which are being explained by diverse examples. Hereby the lecture bridges microbiology and organic chemistry.

Topics of the lecture include:

- General aspects of microbial interactions (competition, cooperation, predation) and coordinated social behaviour of microbes
- Microbial quorum sensing signals and regulation pathways and quorum quenching
- Siderophores and iron scavenging mechanisms
- Factors controlling dormancy and resuscitation of microorganisms
- Surface active substances
- Small molecule toxins and antibiotics
- The chemistry of microbe-phage interactions
- Microbe-host interactions (human, animal, plant)