MBB 196 Undergraduate Seminar: Microbial Metalheads: Quorum Sensing and Bioluminescence – mechanism, regulation, variations

Vibrio, so confusing?

It is often advantageous for bacteria to alter their behavior based on population density. In this way, energetically taxing processes (e.g., toxin production) are only performed when enough bacteria are present to produce an advantageous effect. To sense population density, bacteria use quorum sensing, which can vary in design depending on the group of bacteria examined. A study by Simpson et al. (2021) found that the QS circuit of environmental isolate Vibrio campbellii DS40M4 differs from that of the model strain V. campbellii BB120 in terms of regulation and structure.

What implications does this study have on our understanding of quorum sensing? What is the importance of examining environmental isolates? Join the MBB 196 Undergraduate Seminar to be held this Friday (March 28, 2025) to learn more about how the QS circuit of V. campbellii BB120 differs from canonical QS systems and why V. campbellii DS40M4’s QS circuit suggests the possibility of new regulators. The seminar will be held from 1 PM to 2 PM in Room 105, NIMBB, UP-Diliman. See you there!