FURI | Spring 2025

Developing a Bacterial Model for Turing Pattern Emergence with Quorum Sensing Circuitry

This research investigates how quorum sensing (QS) systems can drive Turing pattern formation by examining interactions between the Lux, Las, and Rpa QS systems in E. coli. By analyzing QS crosstalk, sensitivity, and expression dynamics, we aim to understand how two QS nodes interact to generate spatial gene expression patterns. Fluorescent reporters GFP and mCherry will quantify these patterns, informing the design of a two-operon system that mimics traditional Turing models. This work could enhance synthetic multicellular coordination, aid in engineering bacterial behaviors, and provide insights into natural biological patterning.