RESUMEN
Bacteria employ quorum sensing as a remarkable mechanism for coordinating behaviors and communicating within their communities. In this study, we introduce a MATLAB Graphical User Interface (GUI) that offers a versatile platform for exploring the dynamics of quorum sensing. Our computational framework allows for the assessment of quorum sensing, the investigation of parameter dependencies, and the prediction of minimum biofilm thickness required for its initiation. A pivotal observation from our simulations underscores the pivotal role of the diffusion coefficient in quorum sensing, surpassing the influence of bacterial cell dimensions. Varying the diffusion coefficient reveals significant fluctuations in autoinducer concentration, highlighting its centrality in shaping bacterial communication. Additionally, our GUI facilitates the prediction of the minimum biofilm thickness necessary to trigger quorum sensing, a parameter contingent on the diffusion coefficient. This feature provides valuable insights into spatial constraints governing quorum sensing initiation. The interplay between production rates and cell concentrations emerges as another critical facet of our study. We observe that higher production rates or cell concentrations expedite quorum sensing, underscoring the intricate relationship between cell communication and population dynamics in bacterial communities. While our simulations align with mathematical models reported in the literature, we acknowledge the complexity of living organisms, emphasizing the value of our GUI for standardizing results and facilitating early assessments of quorum sensing. This computational approach offers a window into the environmental conditions conducive to quorum sensing initiation, encompassing parameters such as the diffusion coefficient, cell concentration, and biofilm thickness. In conclusion, our MATLAB GUI serves as a versatile tool for understanding the diverse aspects of quorum sensing especially for non-biologists. The insights gained from this computational framework advance our understanding of bacterial communication, providing researchers with the means to explore diverse ecological contexts where quorum sensing plays a pivotal role.
Asunto(s)
Bacterias , Difusión , Percepción de Quorum , Interfaz Usuario-Computador , Percepción de Quorum/fisiología , Biopelículas , Simulación por Computador , Bacterias/citología , Bacterias/crecimiento & desarrollo , Bacterias/metabolismo , Feromonas/metabolismo , Carga Bacteriana , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
In this paper, we used the distinguishable surface charge and mass of different bacterial strains for label free detection and differentiation of pathogen through impedance and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) analysis. For the isolation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were used. The proposed method is aimed at minimizing extensive chemical preparation and labor intensive conventional microbiological processing thereby reducing the detection time. Pathogens isolated from broth cultures using the MNPs were subjected to impedance rate measurement through an arduino-based automated impedance sensor along with differentiation on the basis of Larmor's motion through the MHD approach. The proposed method evidently reports that the two bacterial species bind differently to the MNPs giving appreciable variation in the impedance rate increment for a dc electric field of 250V/m. In addition to this, cross-field drift through 171.4 V/m electric field and a normal magnetic field of 500 Gauss led to lump formation in S. aureus but had no such effect on E. coli. The mobility analysis of the two species of bacteria was also carried out by observing the gyration of bacteria through naked eyes. The mobility of lumped bodies of S. aureus was of the order 10-10 m2/V sec; whereas for dispersed E. coli, it was 10-08 m2/V sec.
Asunto(s)
Técnicas Bacteriológicas/instrumentación , Técnicas Electroquímicas/instrumentación , Escherichia coli/aislamiento & purificación , Nanopartículas de Magnetita/química , Staphylococcus aureus/aislamiento & purificación , Técnicas Bacteriológicas/métodos , Impedancia Eléctrica , Diseño de EquipoRESUMEN
Coculture communities of microbes are more realistic and common in nature than in laboratory-grown pure cultures. In a mixed community, when resources with a potential role in growth are shared, conflict (as a consequence of competition) or cooperation is certain. In our study, this situation of conflict and cooperation was explored to understand the population dynamics and community behavior of Listeria monocytogenes. The social behavioral response of L. monocytogenes to the presence of Bacillus subtilis was studied in terms of divergence in gene expression of L. monocytogenes. It is evident from the results that social behavior of L. monocytogenes changes from competition for survival in broth to cooperation and coexistence in biofilm. Furthermore, the gene expression pattern is clearly indicative of L. monocytogenes switching from aerobic to fermentative metabolism in broth and biofilm conditions, respectively.
Asunto(s)
Biopelículas , Listeria monocytogenes/genética , Técnicas de Cocultivo , Fermentación , Regulación Bacteriana de la Expresión Génica , Listeria monocytogenes/fisiología , Ramnosa/metabolismoRESUMEN
Majority of studies concerning the gene expression of Listeria monocytogenes have been done on pure culture states. Our objective was to study L.monocytogenes in a co-cultured state and to understand if microbes in their natural state of existence are different in their expression than that of the purely cultured lab grown forms. For a long period discussions have been on the expression of prfA, (which is a virulence gene regulator) in a mammalian host and its role in causing the switch from a saprophytic to pathogenic form of L.monocytogenes. We, in this paper for the first time report the expression of prfA and other virulence genes by L.monocytogenes under different extracellular conditions, and also as a pure culture biofilms, that is different from the previous reports. We also report that the expression of prfA seems to vary considerably when co-cultured with Bacillus subtilis.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Biopelículas , Bacillus subtilis/genética , Expresión Génica , Listeriosis , Listeria monocytogenes/genética , Listeria monocytogenes/patogenicidad , ARN , Métodos , Espectrofotómetros , VirulenciaRESUMEN
Majority of studies concerning the gene expression of Listeria monocytogenes have been done on pure culture states. Our objective was to study L.monocytogenes in a co-cultured state and to understand if microbes in their natural state of existence are different in their expression than that of the purely cultured lab grown forms. For a long period discussions have been on the expression of prfA, (which is a virulence gene regulator) in a mammalian host and its role in causing the switch from a saprophytic to pathogenic form of L.monocytogenes. We, in this paper for the first time report the expression of prfA and other virulence genes by L.monocytogenes under different extracellular conditions, and also as a pure culture biofilms, that is different from the previous reports. We also report that the expression of prfA seems to vary considerably when co-cultured with Bacillus subtilis.