Long-term monitoring of bacteria undergoing programmed population control in a microchemostat.
Using an active approach to preventing biofilm formation, we implemented a microfluidic bioreactor that enables long-term culture and monitoring of extremely small populations of bacteria with single-cell resolution. We used this device to observe the dynamics of Escherichia coli carrying a synthetic "population control" circuit that regulates cell density through a feedback mechanism based on quorum sensing. The microfluidic bioreactor enabled long-term monitoring of unnatural behavior programmed by the synthetic circuit, which included sustained oscillations in cell density and associated morphological changes, over hundreds of hours.
Balagaddé
Frederick K
FK
Department of Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
You
Lingchong
L
Hansen
Carl L
CL
Arnold
Frances H
FH
Quake
Stephen R
SR
D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D019149:Bioreactors; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003470:Culture Media; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D025461:Feedback, Physiological; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D007544:Isopropyl Thiogalactoside / Q000494:pharmacology; D008433:Mathematics; D044085:Microfluidics; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D013997:Time Factors
D003470:Culture Media; C088386:homoserine lactone; D007544:Isopropyl Thiogalactoside; D015107:4-Butyrolactone