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Skander Hathroubi

Senior Research Scientist | R&D Microbiology | Biofilm Expert | Inventor | Author

Microbiology and pathogenesis
Antibiofilm treatments and preventions
Antimicrobial biomaterials development
Coatings and hydrogels development
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Skander Hathroubi
39 years old
Contact me
Professional Status
Employed
Open to opportunities
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.
Company Description
Pioneering bio-intelligence for a healthy and sustainable future
Company website
https://sparthamedical.eu
  • 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

Teaching experiences

University of California Santa Cruz _UdeMontreal_HU Berlin_University of Strasbourg
Since May 2018
  • 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)

Mentorship experiences

At differents locations
Since 2017
  • 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

Oral communications

Conferences
Since 2010

  • 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.

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

Webmaster

www.bacterialbiofilms.com
2014 to 2016
Freelancer
SAINT HYACINTHE
Canada - Québec
  • 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

Proctor

Université de Montréal
Since September 2012
Part-time
Montréal
Canada - Québec
  • Monitoring students during the writing of tests/exams