Abstract:
Although the nasal microbiome serves as a barrier against pathogens, it remains relatively less studied compared to other human-associated microbiomes. In this work, reviewing the literature from the past decade, we start in the first chapter by dissecting the factors that shape the nasal microbiome, from host-related factors, environmental factors, and microbial interactions. Also, we shed light on the potential applications of the nasal microbiome and the technical variability associated with its analysis. In the second chapter, employing experimental work and natural products chemistry, we describe a novel anti‑staphylococcal bacteriocin, casipalin, isolated from the human commensal Staphylococcus capitis. This novel lipopeptide displays potent bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent. In the third chapter, we explore bacterial nutritional interactions within the nasal microbiome as we identify a new taxonomic complex within the Corynebacterium accolens species and reveal that iron acquisition mechanisms are a cornerstone for the niche adaptation of this highly prevalent nasal commensal. In the fourth chapter, we investigate the distribution of biosynthetic gene clusters across human, environmental, and animal-associated isolates, highlighting the higher prevalence of certain bacteriocin classes. In the subsequent chapters, we delve into host–microbe interactions. For example, in the fifth chapter, we focus on the interplay between human IgA and the nasal microbiome, including S. aureus, while in the sixth chapter, we focus on host-associated fatty acids that shape the adaptation of S. aureus in the human skin and nasal microbiome. In the final chapter, employing metabolomics, we offer an update on the human nasal secretion composition, revealing interesting patterns of host and bacterial metabolites in the nasal niche.