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Synthetic quorum-sensing circuit to control consortial biofilm formation and dispersal in a microfluidic device

Author

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  • Seok Hoon Hong

    (Texas A & M University)

  • Manjunath Hegde

    (Texas A & M University)

  • Jeongyun Kim

    (Texas A & M University)

  • Xiaoxue Wang

    (Texas A & M University)

  • Arul Jayaraman

    (Texas A & M University)

  • Thomas K. Wood

    (Texas A & M University)

Abstract

To utilize biofilms for chemical transformations in biorefineries they need to be controlled and replaced. Previously, we engineered the global regulator Hha and cyclic diguanylate-binding BdcA to create proteins that enable biofilm dispersal. Here we report a biofilm circuit that utilizes these two dispersal proteins along with a population-driven quorum-sensing switch. With this synthetic circuit, in a novel microfluidic device, we form an initial colonizer biofilm, introduce a second cell type (dispersers) into this existing biofilm, form a robust dual-species biofilm and displace the initial colonizer cells in the biofilm with an extracellular signal from the disperser cells. We also remove the disperser biofilm with a chemically induced switch, and the consortial population could tune. Therefore, for the first time, cells have been engineered that are able to displace an existing biofilm and then be removed on command allowing one to control consortial biofilm formation for various applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Seok Hoon Hong & Manjunath Hegde & Jeongyun Kim & Xiaoxue Wang & Arul Jayaraman & Thomas K. Wood, 2012. "Synthetic quorum-sensing circuit to control consortial biofilm formation and dispersal in a microfluidic device," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 3(1), pages 1-8, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:3:y:2012:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1616
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1616
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    Cited by:

    1. Kerry E Boyle & Hilary Monaco & Dave van Ditmarsch & Maxime Deforet & Joao B Xavier, 2015. "Integration of Metabolic and Quorum Sensing Signals Governing the Decision to Cooperate in a Bacterial Social Trait," PLOS Computational Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(6), pages 1-26, June.

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