Majority sensing in synthetic microbial consortia.

Nature Communications
Razan N. AlnahhasMatthew R. Bennett

Abstract

As synthetic biocircuits become more complex, distributing computations within multi-strain microbial consortia becomes increasingly beneficial. However, designing distributed circuits that respond predictably to variation in consortium composition remains a challenge. Here we develop a two-strain gene circuit that senses and responds to which strain is in the majority. This involves a co-repressive system in which each strain produces a signaling molecule that signals the other strain to down-regulate production of its own, orthogonal signaling molecule. This co-repressive consortium links gene expression to ratio of the strains rather than population size. Further, we control the cross-over point for majority via external induction. We elucidate the mechanisms driving these dynamics by developing a mathematical model that captures consortia response as strain fractions and external induction are varied. These results show that simple gene circuits can be used within multicellular synthetic systems to sense and respond to the state of the population.

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Citations

Oct 31, 2020·Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·Mariam ElgabryShane D Johnson
Dec 9, 2020·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Alvaro BanderasPascal Hersen
May 11, 2021·Trends in Microbiology·Nicolas E GrandelMatthew R Bennett
May 27, 2021·Nature Communications·Ximing LiRamez Daniel
May 23, 2021·Trends in Microbiology·Shengbo WuJianjun Qiao
Jun 24, 2021·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Alan R Pacheco, Daniel Segrè
Sep 23, 2021·PLoS Computational Biology·James J WinkleKrešimir Josić

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