Berlin 2012 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 9: Focus: Systems Biology of Bacteria (with jDPG)

BP 9.4: Invited Talk

Tuesday, March 27, 2012, 11:00–11:30, E 020

Bacterial communication systems — •Ilka Bischofs — ZMBH, Heidelberg, Germany

Bacteria interact with each other in multiple ways, e.g. via diffusible signaling molecules. In a process called quorum sensing bacteria produce, secrete, sense and respond to signals, which accumulate with cell density. This allows them to control gene expression in a cell density-dependent manner. For example, frequently they launch specific responses, which are executed more efficiently collectively, upon reaching a "quorum". Interestingly, in nature there exists a variety of different quorum sensing network architectures. In particular, cell density information enters into cellular decision making processes in various ways. By means of simple theoretical models we compare different quorum sensing network architectures. Based on this analysis we begin to derive network design principles that may explain the significance of certain architectural features found in natural networks and we make predictions on how to build synthetic networks with optimized functions.