Single-cell phenotypes revealed as a key biomarker in bacterial-fungal interactions: a case study of Staphylococcus and Malassezia

Microbiol Spectr. 2023 Dec 12;11(6):e0043723. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.00437-23. Epub 2023 Nov 1.

Abstract

Evaluating bacterial-fungal interactions is important for understanding ecological functions in a natural habitat. Many studies have defined bacterial-fungal interactions according to changes in growth rates when co-cultivated. However, the current literature lacks detailed studies on phenotypic changes in single cells associated with transcriptomic profiles to understand the bacterial-fungal interactions. In our study, we measured the single-cell phenotypes of bacteria co-cultivated with fungi using Raman spectroscopy with its transcriptomic profiles and determined the consequence of these interactions in detail. This rapid and reliable phenotyping approach has the potential to provide new insights regarding bacterial-fungal interactions.

Keywords: Raman spectroscopy; bacterial-fungal interactions; phenotype; single cell; transcriptomic profile.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Biomarkers
  • Fungi / genetics
  • Malassezia* / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Staphylococcus

Substances

  • Biomarkers