An environment aware P-system model of quorum sensing

Abstract

"Quorum Sensing" has been identified as one of the most consequential microbiology discoveries of the last 10 years. Using Quorum Sensing bacterial colonies synchronize gene expression and phenotype change allowing them, among other things, to protect their niche, coordinate host invasion and bio-film formation. In this contribution we briefly describe the elementary microbiology background and present a P-systems based model for Quorum Sensing which includes environmental rules and a topological representation. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.