Bacteria Floc, but Do They Flock? Insights from Population Interaction Models of Quorum Sensing.

Quorum sensing (QS) enables coordinated, population-wide behavior. QS-active bacteria "communicate" their number density using autoinducers which they synthesize, collect, and interpret. Tangentially, chemotactic bacteria migrate, seeking out nutrients and other molecules.

Stress Fracture of the Hamate Hook in a Water Polo Player.

Hamate hook fractures are usually caused by direct trauma while using a tennis racket or a baseball bat. We report stress fracture of the hamate hook in a water polo player without any specific trauma. We consider that the stress fracture occurred via indirect mechanisms through the flexor tendons.

TumbleScore: Run and tumble analysis for low frame-rate motility videos.

Scientists often exploit the motility of peritrichously flagellated bacteria for various applications. A common alteration is modifying the frequency of mid-movement changes in direction, known as tumbles. Such differences in bacterial swimming patterns can prove difficult to quantify, especially for those without access to high-speed optical equipment.

Electronic control of gene expression and cell behaviour in Escherichia coli through redox signalling.

The ability to interconvert information between electronic and ionic modalities has transformed our ability to record and actuate biological function. Synthetic biology offers the potential to expand communication 'bandwidth' by using biomolecules and providing electrochemical access to redox-based cell signals and behaviours. While engineered cells have transmitted molecular information to electronic devices, the potential for bidirectional communication stands largely untapped.

Insightful directed evolution of Escherichia coli quorum sensing promoter region of the lsrACDBFG operon: a tool for synthetic biology systems and protein expression.

Quorum sensing (QS) regulates many natural phenotypes (e.q. virulence, biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance), and its components, when incorporated into synthetic genetic circuits, enable user-directed phenotypes.

Electrochemical Measurement of the β-Galactosidase Reporter from Live Cells: A Comparison to the Miller Assay.

In order to match our ability to conceive of and construct cells with enhanced function, we must concomitantly develop facile, real-time methods for elucidating performance. With these, new designs can be tested in silico and steps in construction incrementally validated. Electrochemical monitoring offers the above advantages largely because signal transduction stems from direct electron transfer, allowing for potentially quicker and more integrated measurements.