# mSphere of Influence: Missing the trees for the forest

## TL;DR

A bacteriologist discusses how two recent studies on microbiomes and bacterial interactions influence her research on Neisseria and host adaptation.

## Contribution

The paper reflects on the influence of two specific studies on the author's research into Neisseria commensalism and host adaptation.

## Key findings

- The study on the human tongue dorsum microbiome's spatial ecology informs understanding of microbial communities.
- A novel peptide from Staphylococcus simulans was found to block MRSA quorum sensing and protect host skin.

## Abstract

Katherine Rhodes is a bacteriologist working in the field of host-microbe interaction. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how two papers, “Spatial ecology of the human tongue dorsum microbiome” by S. Wilbert, J. Mark Welch, and G. Borisy and “Novel peptide from commensal Staphylococcus simulans blocks methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus quorum sensing and protects host skin from damage” by M. Brown et al., impact her research on Neisseria commensalism and host adaptation.