Quorum Sensing Communication: Molecularly Connecting Cells, Their Neighbors, and Even Devices

Sally Wang, Gregory F. Payne, William E. Bentley
2020 Annual Review of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering  
Quorum sensing (QS) is a molecular signaling modality that mediates molecular-based cell–cell communication. Prevalent in nature, QS networks provide bacteria with a method to gather information from the environment and make decisions based on the intel. With its ability to autonomously facilitate both inter- and intraspecies gene regulation, this process can be rewired to enable autonomously actuated, but molecularly programmed, genetic control. On the one hand, novel QS-based genetic circuits
more » ... endow cells with smart functions that can be used in many fields of engineering, and on the other, repurposed QS circuitry promotes communication and aids in the development of synthetic microbial consortia. Furthermore, engineered QS systems can probe and intervene in interkingdom signaling between bacteria and their hosts. Lastly, QS is demonstrated to establish conversation with abiotic materials, especially by taking advantage of biological and even electronically induced assembly processes; such QS-incorporated biohybrid devices offer innovative ways to program cell behavior and biological function. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Volume 11 is June 8, 2020. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
doi:10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-101519-124728 pmid:32168999 fatcat:y4rvnpzxgrarzorctnhsqvw4pa