title: Bacterial quorum sensing: functional features and potential applications in biotechnology.
abstract: Quorum sensing (QS) represents an exceptional pattern of cell-to-cell communication in bacteria using self-synthesized signalling molecules known as autoinducers. Various features regulated by QS in bacteria include virulence, biofilm formation, sporulation, genetic competence and bioluminescence, among others. Other than the diverse signalling properties of autoinducers, there are non-signalling properties also associated with these signalling molecules which make them potential antimicrobial agents and metal chelators. Additionally, QS signal antagonism has also been shown to be a promising alternative for blocking pathogenic diseases. Besides, QS has impressive design features useful in tissue engineering and biosensor technology. Although many aspects of QS are well understood, several other features remain largely unknown, especially in biotechnology applications. This review focuses on the functional features and potential applications of QS signalling molecules in biotechnology.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Ecology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India.
authors.forename: Neelam
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mangwani
authors.forename: Hirak Ranjan
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Dash
authors.forename: Ashvini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chauhan
authors.forename: Surajit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Das
mesh_terms: D054742:Acyl-Butyrolactones / Q000378:metabolism; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018441:Biofilms; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D005809:Genes, Regulator; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000382:microbiology; D053038:Quorum Sensing; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D054742:Acyl-Butyrolactones; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors