Cambridge University 2006
From 2006.igem.org
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| PROJECT DESCRIPTION |
| - Autonomous Pattern Formation between Bacterial Populations by Reciprocal Communication - |
Description: Position dependent gene expression is a critical aspect of the behaviour of multi-cellular organisms and requires a complex series of interactions to occur between cell types. Cells adopt a particular fate in response to a combination of chemical signals. The development of body axes in multi-cellular organisms is a case in point illustrating the importance of cellular communication for developing complex patterns. Using Escherichia coli as a model system we have observed how differential cell motility can, in itself, lead to complex pattern formation. We have studied the interaction between cell population in swimming agar with genetically engineered sender and receiver cells. The sender cells express one of two acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) synthases whereas the receiver cells are capable of responding to the generated homoserine lactone signal. Instead of using a differential response to AHL concentrations we employed cell motility as a way to define zones of response. In particular we are equipping highly motile strains such as E. coli MC1000 with AHL-mediated autoinducing systems based on Vibrio fischeri luxI/luxR and Pseudomonas aeruginosa lasI/lasR cassettes to allow the amplification of a response to an AHL signal. Exploiting the uncoupled nature of sender and receiver entities, both AHL systems can be combined to give two-way communication pathways. The recursive behaviour of cells being both sender and receiver at the same time has the potential to create patterns that are robust and more complex in nature. In order to allow a detailed study of ensuing interactions at microscopic and macroscopic levels, two populations of Escherichia coli are endowed with the genetic circuits necessary for this reciprocal behaviour. We have modelled the behaviour of cells within populations containing these systems.
[http://www.ccbi.cam.ac.uk/iGEM2006 Link to Cambridge Wiki]
