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Single strain control of microbial consortia

Author

Listed:
  • Alex J. H. Fedorec

    (University College London)

  • Behzad D. Karkaria

    (University College London)

  • Michael Sulu

    (University College London)

  • Chris P. Barnes

    (University College London
    University College London)

Abstract

The scope of bioengineering is expanding from the creation of single strains to the design of microbial communities, allowing for division-of-labour, specialised sub-populations and interaction with “wild” microbiomes. However, in the absence of stabilising interactions, competition between microbes inevitably leads to the removal of less fit community members over time. Here, we leverage amensalism and competitive exclusion to stabilise a two-strain community by engineering a strain of Escherichia coli which secretes a toxin in response to competition. We show experimentally and mathematically that such a system can produce stable populations with a composition that is tunable by easily controllable parameters. This system creates a tunable, stable two-strain consortia while only requiring the engineering of a single strain.

Suggested Citation

  • Alex J. H. Fedorec & Behzad D. Karkaria & Michael Sulu & Chris P. Barnes, 2021. "Single strain control of microbial consortia," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-22240-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22240-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Poudel, Niranjan & Singleton, Patrick A., 2022. "Preferences for roundabout attributes among US bicyclists: A discrete choice experiment," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 316-329.
    2. John P. Marken & Richard M. Murray, 2023. "Addressable and adaptable intercellular communication via DNA messaging," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Carlos Barajas & Hsin-Ho Huang & Jesse Gibson & Luis Sandoval & Domitilla Vecchio, 2022. "Feedforward growth rate control mitigates gene activation burden," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.

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