All articles tagged with #quorum sensing
Bees decide where to relocate not by a vote but via a quorum-based process: scout bees explore multiple potential cavities, advertise promising sites with waggle dances that encode site quality, and once about 15 scouts cluster at a single site, the swarm mobilizes and leaves for the chosen nest—often the best option, though the process can take two to three days and costs energy for accuracy.
Researchers found that interrupting quorum sensing in dental plaque using lactonases can shift the mouth’s microbial balance toward health-associated bacteria and reduce disease-linked microbes, with effects that depend on oxygen levels above and below the gums; this approach aims to preserve a healthy microbiome rather than kill all bacteria and could inform broader dysbiosis-related therapies.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo are developing engineered Clostridium sporogenes that can colonize the oxygen-poor core of solid tumors and survive near the tumor’s outer layers by a quorum-sensing–controlled oxygen-tolerance gene, enabling tumor consumption from inside with GFP-based validation and plans for preclinical tumor testing.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo engineered the soil bacterium Clostridium sporogenes to colonize oxygen-poor solid tumors and consume nutrients, effectively attacking tumors from within. They added oxygen-tolerance tweaks and quorum-sensing controls, plus a fluorescent signal, to signal successful tumor disruption. While promising, the approach is still in preclinical stages with the goal of combining traits into a single bacterium for upcoming preclinical testing in humans.
New research suggests that disrupting bacterial communication in the mouth through quorum sensing inhibitors could promote beneficial bacteria and reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, offering a potential new approach to oral health management.
Researchers have discovered that disrupting bacterial communication signals in dental plaque using enzymes can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and potentially prevent gum disease, offering a new approach to maintaining oral health without harming good bacteria.
Scientists at the University of Minnesota discovered that disrupting bacterial communication signals, specifically AHLs, in the mouth can promote healthier oral bacteria and potentially prevent gum disease by maintaining a balanced microbiome. The effectiveness of this approach varies with oxygen levels, offering new avenues for targeted periodontal therapies.
Scientists at Princeton University have discovered a complex battle between eavesdropping viruses called bacteriophages and the bacteria they infect. These viruses can adopt different strategies, either remaining hidden within the host or launching a full-scale attack. The researchers found that one virus could "eavesdrop" on bacterial communication, listening for a chemical signal known as the "We have a quorum!" message. They also observed that when activating a kill signal, three subpopulations of bacteria responded differently to the phages. By manipulating the triggers, they were able to replicate only one phage at a time. This research provides insights into viral genes and could lead to new biological discoveries and medical innovations.