Cystic Fibrosis Keystone Species

This project shows that the use of antibiotics targeting gram-positive, anaerobic bacteria can improve patient's health by removing the main nutritional sources of classic pathogens. These antibiotics, traditionally not used in CF therapy, target anaerobes that efficiently degrade mucus providing metabolic products that feed and stimulate the expression of virulence factors in Pseudomonas. They work as keystone groups sustaining the stability of the entire microbial community, and their control drives a decrease in Pseudomonas abundance and virulence.