In silico bacteria evolve robust cooperaion via complex quorum-sensing strategies.

ABSTRACT: Many species of bacteria collectively sense and respond to their social and physical environment via 'quorum sensing' (QS), a communication system controlling extracellular cooperative traits. Despite detailed understanding of the mechanisms of signal production and response, there remains considerable debate over the functional role(s) of QS: in short, what is it for? Experimental studies have found support for diverse functional roles: density sensing, mass-transfer sensing, genotype sensing, etc. While consistent with theory, these results cannot separate whether these functions were drivers of QS adaption, or simply artifacts or 'spandrels' of systems shaped by distinct ecological pressures. The challenge of separating spandrels from drivers of adaptation is particularly hard to addres

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7248119 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature