In order to test and characterize the AI-2 system, AI-2 was isolated from Vibrio harveyi. Vibrio harveyi MM32 (BB120 luxN::Tn5 luxS::Tn5)1 is an ideal reporter strain as it cannot respond to AHL nor synthesize AI-2, respectively. In addition, since E. coli produce AI-2, we need to set our system up in cells that do not produce AI-2 (i.e. DH5α cells) and thus, we need to verify that these cells do not produce AI-2.