%0 Journal Article
%T The role of bacterial metabolism in human gut colonization.
%A Muñoz-Cazalla A
%A de Quinto I
%A Álvaro-Llorente L
%A Rodríguez-Beltrán J
%A Herencias C
%J Int Microbiol
%V 0
%N 0
%D 2024 Jun 28
%M 38937311
%F 3.097
%R 10.1007/s10123-024-00550-6
%X Can we anticipate the emergence of the next pandemic antibiotic-resistant bacterial clone? Addressing such an ambitious question relies on our ability to comprehensively understand the ecological and epidemiological factors fostering the evolution of high-risk clones. Among these factors, the ability to persistently colonize and thrive in the human gut is crucial for most high-risk clones. Nonetheless, the causes and mechanisms facilitating successful gut colonization remain obscure. Here, we review recent evidence that suggests that bacterial metabolism plays a pivotal role in determining the ability of high-risk clones to colonize the human gut. Subsequently, we outline novel approaches that enable the exploration of microbial metabolism at an unprecedented scale and level of detail. A thorough understanding of the constraints and opportunities of bacterial metabolism in gut colonization will foster our ability to predict the emergence of high-risk clones and take appropriate containment strategies.