Cambridge University 2006
From 2006.igem.org
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| - Autonomous Pattern Formation between Bacterial Populations by Reciprocal Communication - |
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Summary
Our entry for the iGEM 2006 competition sought to genetically engineer two types of bacteria such that they would autonomously form patterns in swimming agar. We studied the dynamics of pattern formation between bacterial populations. In particular, we investigated the interaction of genetically engineered E. coli sender cells, producing an acyl homoserine lactone signal, and receiver cells in swimming agar. We then attempted to render these cells capable of reciprocal communication and sought to construct biological parts that would render possible the construction of a population based bi-stable switch. Furthermore, we modelled the behaviour of single cells as well as the interactive behaviour of populations of cells containing these genetic circuits. Our experiments verified that differential cell motility in combination with position-dependent gene expression has the potential to generate complex patterns.
