Understanding the connect of quorum sensing and crispr-cas system: Potential role in biotechnological applications

Abstract

Quorum sensing is employed by bacteria to control gene expression, by communicating through signals, necessary to confer advantageous traits in a community. We now understand that to counter susceptibility to phages in communities, bacteria evolved specialized adaptive immune system called CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated proteins) system that may use quorum sensing for its regulation. As a countermeasure, phages have also evolved diverse mechanisms to evade the defense strategies. The chapter discusses the dynamics of this co-evolutionary war, understanding of which will help pave way for many biotechnological applications. An important aspect includes refining tools such as quorum-sensing inhibition and phage therapy that are utilized to control many biofilm-forming bacterial infections.