Iron is an essential trace element for most organisms. A common way for bacteria to acquire
this nutrient is through the secretion of siderophores, which are secondary metabolites that …

From the homeostasis of human health to the cycling of Earth's elements, microbial activities
underlie environmental, medical and industrial processes. These activities occur in chemical …

It has been argued that bacteria communicate using small diffusible signal molecules to
coordinate, among other things, the production of factors that are secreted outside of the …

Microbial communities are increasingly utilized in biotechnology. Efficiency and productivity
in many of these applications depends on the presence of cooperative interactions between …

Microbes have the potential to be highly cooperative organisms. The archetype of microbial
cooperation is often considered to be the secretion of siderophores, molecules scavenging …

The evolutionary spread of cheater strategies can destabilize populations engaging in social
cooperative behaviors, thus demonstrating that evolutionary changes can have profound …

The term “cheating” is used in the evolutionary and ecological literature to describe a wide
range of exploitative or deceitful traits. Although many find this a useful short hand, others …

Iron is important for bacterial growth and survival, as it is a common co-factor in essential
enzymes. Although iron is very abundant in the earth crust, its bioavailability is low in most …

There has been extensive theoretical debate over whether population viscosity (limited
dispersal) can favour cooperation. While limited dispersal increases the probability of …

Cooperation and conflict in microorganisms is being recognized as an important factor in the
organization and function of microbial communities. Many of the cooperative behaviors …