Skander Hathroubi - Senior Research Scientist | R&D Microbiology | Biofilm Expert | Inventor

About Me

Senior Research Scientist specializing in R&D microbiology, with a Ph.D. in veterinary science and deep expertise in biofilms. Currently leading the microbiology laboratory at SPARTHA Medical, where I develop antimicrobial coatings and hydrogels for medical devices. My research spans biofilm architecture, pathogenesis, and innovative treatment strategies. An inventor with multiple patents, I have also held research positions at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Germany) and the University of California, Santa Cruz (USA). In addition to my scientific work, I am a writer and dedicated educator, actively contributing to the academic community through publications, teaching, and workshops.

Experiences

Leading multidisciplinary R&D on novel antimicrobial and antibiofilm coatings for medical devices, with a focus on personalized and versatile solutions. Managing industrial co-development projects and contributing to multiple high-impact national and European initiatives:
ToxBox (HORIZON Europe) – Developing innovative tools for toxicology and risk assessment.
KISSMat (Grand Est Region) – Creating infection-preventive materials for applications in food, cosmetics, and healthcare (human & animal).
BIOFACE (RHU 2023 – France 2030) – Developing advanced biomaterials for facial reconstruction in oncology (PI: Prof. Agnès Dupret-Bories).
4D-EASLEE (Eurostars) – Co-developing biointelligent infection-preventive CRM pouches for cardiac implants with Hylomorph AG and 3DEUS Dynamics SAS.

Learn more

Investigating Esherichia coli macrocolony biofilms and their architectures. Role of cellulose and Curli. Interdisciplinary project (Cluster Matters of Activity)
Laboratory of Prof. Regine Hengge
Project leader: Bacterial cellulose from architectural and design perspectives : https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590207525000243
Textile fermentation_Biofilm and textile microbiome. Collaboration with the anthropology expert Dr. Laurence Douny
“La récolte des biofilms” exhibition at the Humboldt Labor at Humboldt Forum_2021 Active Curtain.« Humboldt Labor, Humboldt Forum Berlin. Since 29 April 2021.
https://www.humboldt-labor.de/en/projects/clusters-of-excellence/active-curtain-project

"DAOULA sheen". West African Wild Silk on Its Way. Exhibition at the Tieranatomisches Theater Berlin Germany and Ougadougou-Safané, Burkina Faso. 17 November 2022 - 31 December 2022.
https://tieranatomisches-theater.de/project/ausstellung-ab-17-november-2022daoula-sheenwest-african-wild-silk-on-its-way/

"Bacterial Cellulose: Co-Weaving Biofilms"
An Installation for the Triennale XXIII: »Unknown Unknows, An Introduction to Mysteries« in the thematic exhibition »Alchemic Laboratory«, curated by Ingrid Paoletti, from July 15th to December 11th, 2022
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/8617/bacterial-cellulose-co-weaving-biofilms
Book contribution:
1. B. Beyer and S. Hathroubi. La récolte des biofilms. In: MàJ : design, environnements techniques & pratiques exploratoires. Éditions Cité du design. École supérieure d’art et design Saint-Étienne (ESADSE)/Cité du design, France. 2021
2. B. Beyer, S. Hathroubi and R Hengge Bacterial Loom. In: Architectures of Weaving From Fibers and Yarns to Scaffolds and Skins. Christiane Sauer / Mareike Stoll / Ebba Fransén Waldhör / Maxie Schneider (eds.) Jovis ISBN 978-3-86859-739-4
3. L. Douny, S. Hathroubi, A. Dialo, A. Séré, S. Sawadogo and R. Hengge. West African “fermented” textiles. Submitted to Bloomsbury Encyclopedia of World Textiles

Investigated Helicobacter pylori biofilm formation and its potential role in pathogenesis.
Employed transcriptomic and genetic approaches to identify genes involved in biofilm development.
Utilized mouse models of H. pylori infection to study in vivo biofilm behavior.
Applied confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to characterize biofilm structure and composition.
Publications:
1. Hathroubi S., Servetas S.L., Windham I., Merrell D.S., Ottemann K.M. (2018). Helicobacter pylori biofilm formation and its potential role in pathogenesis.
  Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 82(2): e00001 18
2. Hathroubi S., Zerebinski J., Ottemann K.M. (2018). Helicobacter pylori Biofilm Involves a Multigene Stress Biased Response, Including a Structural Role for Flagella.
  mBio, 9(5): e01973 18.
3. Hathroubi S., Hu S., Ottemann K.M. (2020). Genetic requirements and transcriptomics of Helicobacter pylori biofilm formation on abiotic and biotic surfaces. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, 6(1): 56.
4. Hathroubi S., Zerebinski J., Clarke A., Ottemann K.M. (2020). Helicobacter pylori Biofilm Confers Antibiotic Tolerance in Part via A Protein Dependent Mechanism.Antibiotics, 9(6): 355
5. Tachiyama, S. T.; Peterson, B.; Khan, M. F.; Liu, X.; Hathroubi, S.; Liu, J.; Roujeinikova, A.; Ottemann, K. M. (2022). The flagellar motor protein FliL forms a scaffold of circumferentially aligned subunits that is essential for torque generation in Helicobacter pylori. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119(4), e2118401119.
6. Elshenawi, Y.; Hathroubi, S.; Hu, S.; Liu, X.; Ottemann, K. M. (2025). Genetic Basis of Gap Formation Between Migrating Helicobacter pylori Colonies in Soft Agar Assays. Microorganisms, 13(5), 1087. DOI:10.3390/microorganisms13051087

Lecture Biofilm and its role in pathogenesis Master degree graduates. University of Strasbourg, Dentistry medical School (Fall session 2022)
Teaching Molekulare Mikrobiologie (Modul BXY-36,5. Semester)
Institut für Biologie, AG Mikrobiologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany- 2019-2020 and 2020-2021
Seminar training, reading and lectures.
Lectures: Bacterial biofilm and Bacterial pathogenicity
Guest lecture microbiology and pathogenesis for undergraduates and graduates: Biofilm, the social life of microorganisms. University of California, Santa Cruz (Winter-Spring session 2018 and 2019)
Microbiology and pathogenesis METX 119-02 online, summer session online classes: Biofilm, the social life of microorganisms. Univeristy of California, Santa Cruz (Summer 2018)
Teaching course microbial pathogenesis 2 for Master’s degree, veterinary science: Surface polysaccharides and envelope (Part_1. Microbial envelope and Part_2. Surface polysaccharides). Université de Montréal (Fall session 2015)
Laboratory demonstrator for Master’s degree, veterinary science students: Basic practical microbiology. Université de Montréal. (2012- 2015)

Strasbourg University: Co-supervising a PhD student and supervising several master and bachelor students
Humboldt-universität zu Berlin :
Nicole Rackov for Bachelor thesis - December 2020 - June 2021
Nils Jensen, Master thesis - December 2020 - July 2021
UC Santa Cruz:
Supervised undergrad student Yasmine E - August 2018 - July 2019
Ph.D student Aaron C. (University of California, Santa Cruz) - October 2017 - July 2019
Undergrad student Julia Z. (University of California, Santa Cruz) - October 2017-September 2018
Summer student Tyler Dewitt (University of California, Santa Cruz) - June-July 2017
University of Montreal:
Supervised student internship Sarah-Eve Fontaine-Gosselin - January-May 2014

Invited speaker at Annual conference of the Inserm Unit 1121 November 2022

Invited speaker at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, USA May 2022

Invited speaker at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden May 2022

Invited talk at Biofilm10 international conference, Leipzig, Germany May 2022
#Invited speaker for ‘Textile: The Past and the Future of fashion’, workshop Wissenschaftskolleg Berlin_ the concept of Fermented textile 5 May 2022

Invited Speaker workshop ‘Shelf life, Ferment-Activity’, Berlin; Germany. 10 December 2020

Invited Speaker workshop ‘Material as Environmental Device’, Berlin; Germany. 10-11 September 2020

Invited speaker to 5th Workshop on bacterial and fungal biofilms, Ghent University conference Center. May 2019. Unraveling the mystery of Helicobacter pylori biofilm.

Invited speaker to INRS-INSTITUT ARMAND-FRAPPIER October 2018. Helicobacter pylori biofilm and the unexpected role of flagella.

Invited speaker to 2nd Technology Seminar-SandBox (UCSC_Startup incubator) September 2018. Targeting the Helicobacter pylori impenetrable biofilm.

PBSE Research Conference 2018, Felton, California, USA. Unexpected role played by flagella during biofilm formation.

UC Biosafety officer meeting 2018, Santa Cruz, USA. New Insights into Helicobacter pylori biofilm.

WCBP Annual conference, 2017, Asilomar, California, USA. Novel genes associated with Helicobacter pylori biofilm growth.

CRIPA symposium, 2016, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae biofilms mitigate innate immune response.

ASM Biofilm, 2015, Chicago, USA. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae biofilms induce lower response of porcine alveolar macrophages.

CRIPA symposium, 2015, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada. Effect of sub-inhibitory concentrations of penicillin G on Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae biofilm formation.

Phd in 180sec (3MTMC) 2014, Science on stage, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, St-Hyacinthe, Québec Canada. Best presentation 3rd prize. Rôle du biofilm dans la pathogénicité d’Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae.

Congrès BiSP 2013, Université Laval, Québec, Canada. Rôle des polysaccharides de surface dans la formation du biofilm chez Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae.

Microbiology Research Internship

Groupe de recherche sur les maladies infectieuses du porc (GREMIP)

Since April 2011

Internship

Saint-Hyacinthe

Canada

Site-directed mutagenesis (allelic exchange)
Immunodetection of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS)
EPS extraction (eDNA...), Immunodot tests
Biofilms culture in static and dynamic conditions: Drip flow reactor, BioFlux, MBEC assay, flowCell
Enzymatic treatments on biofilms
Macrophages in vivo Infection, PBMC isolation
Lipid A extractions and structure analysis
Microscopies

Microbiology Research Internship

Centre National de Greffe de Moelle Osseuse, Faculté de médecine de Tunis

October 2009 to June 2010

Internship

Tunis

Tunisia

Antibiotic susceptibility tests and serotyping assay of P. aeruginosa clincal strains
Static biofilm formation and enzymatic treatments
Curcumin and berberine chloride test on biofilm
Biofilm genes identification
Swarming et twitching motility

Microbiology Research Internship

Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles

January 2009 to June 2009

Internship

Bruxelles

Belgium

E. coli chromosomal toxin antitoxin systems identification by PCR
Sequencing
Phylogenetic analyses

Moved to https://www.facebook.com/bacterialbiofilms/ since 2017
Creating a website about the amazing world of biofilms www.bacterialbiofilms.com
Developing a team of authors
Interviews of several experts
More than 550 monthly visitors

Assist students and teachers in location of print and non-print resouces
Check books and materials in and out to students and teachers using the computerized circulation system
Monitor student use of the library
Assist in maintaining the appearance of the library

Monitoring students during the writing of tests/exams

Skills

Microscopic identification, biochemical testing of bacteria

Expert
Antibiotic susceptibility tests and serotyping assay

Expert
Biofilms culture in static and dynamic conditions

Expert
Enzymatic and chemicals treatments on biofilms

Expert
Swarming et twitching motility tests

Expert

Cell culture, macrophages culture

Advanced
Cytokines detections (PCR and ELISA)

Good
PBMC isolation and proliferation

Good
Gastric gland isolation and imaging

Advanced

Biofilm staining and EPS detection

Good
3D analysis (biomass, volume and thickness)

Advanced
SEM microscopy of biofilm and flagella detection

Advanced

DNA and RNA extraction, PCR and RT-PCR
Site-directed mutagenesis, RNA-seq (Transcriptomic)
EPS extraction (eDNA...), LPS extractions, Lipid A micro-extractions
Immunodetection of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS)

Mice infection and treatments
Gastric gland isolation

Education

Study of micro-organisms in their natural environment. Development of techniques for culturing bacteria form biofilms. Effect of antibiotics on biofilm. Immune response towards biofilms. Phenotypic changes in biofilms cells.
GPA 3.85/4.3

Publications:

1_Bacterial biofilm derived-antigens: a new strategy for vaccine development against infectious diseases. A. Loera-Muro, A. Guerrero-Barrera, Y. D. N Tremblay, S. Hathroubi and C. Angulo. 2021. Expert Rev of Vaccines

2_ Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae: Role of biofilm in pathogenicity and potential impact for vaccination development. S. Hathroubi, A. Loera, J.T. Bossé, P.R. Langford and M. Jacques. 2017. Animal Health Research Review. (Published,7:1-14)

3_ Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae biofilms induce lower response of porcine alveolar macrophages. S. Hathroubi, C. Provost, C. A. Gagnon and M. Jacques. Innate immunity
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27226465)

4_ Biofilms: Bacterial shelters against antibiotics. S. Hathroubi, M.A Mekni, P. Domenico, D. Nguyen and M. Jacques. Microbial Drug Resistance
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27214143)

5_ Surface polysaccharide mutants reveal that absence of O antigen reduces biofilm formation of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. S. Hathroubi, M.A. Hancock, J.T. Bossé, P.R. Langford, Y.D.N Tremblay, J. Labrie and M. Jacques. 2015. Infection and Immunity
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26483403).

6_ Sub-inhibitory concentrations of penicillin G induce biofilm formation by field isolates of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. S. Hathroubi, S-È. Fontaine-Gosselin, Y.D.N. Tremblay, J. Labrie and M. Jacques. 2015. Vet Microbiology (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26130517).

7_ Les biofilms bactériens : leur importance en santé animale et en santé publique. Y.D.N. Tremblay, S. Hathroubi and M. Jacques. 2014. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24688172).
Research Workshop Viral biofilms
Study of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae pathogen pork biofilm
Mutagenesis and characterization of biofilm mutant

Communication during PhD program
The "viral biofilms" Out Of Context Seminar
Research Workshop pharmacokinetic / pharmacodynamic

Distinguish biofilms from planktonic bacteria both in nature and in medical related situations. Examine health care problems caused by infections involving bacterial biofilms. Design and develop biofilm models. Strategies for future research.

The Ethics of animal experimentation gives me the right to experiment on animals ifor laboratory research

A good understanding of microbiology ; bacteriology, virology, parasitology, environmental quality and health.
Project communication: GENOTYPIC AND PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOFILM PRODUCTION IN PSEUDOMONAS AEROGINOSA STRAINS IN THE BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT CENTER OF TUNIS, TUNISIA
Training the Oceanological Observatory Banyuls-sur-mer
Biodiversity and biotechnology to microorganisms

Scientific knowledge of biology and the general organisation of the animal and vegetable kingdoms as well as the functioning of organisms, from the molecular level to integrated biological systems.

Interests

Photography; photo treatment Photoshop, ACDSee
Adobe InDesign

33 countries visited
Road trips cross-country (Canada, USA)

Ethereum (ETH) mining
Trading crypto

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Invited speaker at Annual conference of the Inserm Unit 1121 November 2022

Invited speaker at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, USA May 2022

Invited speaker at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden May 2022

Invited talk at Biofilm10 international conference, Leipzig, Germany May 2022

Invited Speaker workshop ‘Shelf life, Ferment-Activity’, Berlin; Germany. 10 December 2020

Invited Speaker workshop ‘Material as Environmental Device’, Berlin; Germany. 10-11 September 2020

Invited speaker to 5th Workshop on bacterial and fungal biofilms, Ghent University conference Center. May 2019. Unraveling the mystery of Helicobacter pylori biofilm.

Invited speaker to INRS-INSTITUT ARMAND-FRAPPIER October 2018. Helicobacter pylori biofilm and the unexpected role of flagella.

Invited speaker to 2nd Technology Seminar-SandBox (UCSC_Startup incubator) September 2018. Targeting the Helicobacter pylori impenetrable biofilm.

PBSE Research Conference 2018, Felton, California, USA. Unexpected role played by flagella during biofilm formation.

UC Biosafety officer meeting 2018, Santa Cruz, USA. New Insights into Helicobacter pylori biofilm.

WCBP Annual conference, 2017, Asilomar, California, USA. Novel genes associated with Helicobacter pylori biofilm growth.

CRIPA symposium, 2016, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae biofilms mitigate innate immune response.

ASM Biofilm, 2015, Chicago, USA. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae biofilms induce lower response of porcine alveolar macrophages.

CRIPA symposium, 2015, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada. Effect of sub-inhibitory concentrations of penicillin G on Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae biofilm formation.

Phd in 180sec (3MTMC) 2014, Science on stage, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, St-Hyacinthe, Québec Canada. Best presentation 3rd prize. Rôle du biofilm dans la pathogénicité d’Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae.

Congrès BiSP 2013, Université Laval, Québec, Canada. Rôle des polysaccharides de surface dans la formation du biofilm chez Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae.

Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal

Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen

Université de Montréal

Université Pierre Et Marie Curie, Paris 6, France

Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris 6 France