In this project, we use acylated homoserine lactones (AHLs), signaling
molecules used for quorum sensing in gram negative bacteria.
Senders express LuxI or similar enzymes, which catalyze the production
of AHLs, under the control of a constitutive (Tet) promoter. Each cell
thus generates AHL more or less at a constant rate. AHL can freely
permeate cell membranes and are detected by neighboring cells.
Receivers constitutively express LuxR proteins (or a similar
ortholog), the protein that detects AHL concentrations. When AHLs bind
LuxR proteins, the AHL-LuxR complex activates the Lux promoter. The
threshold [AHL] at which switching occurs is determined by the
affinity of AHL for the particulr LuxR ortholog.
about quorum sensing)
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