Interference with quorum-sensing molecules has long been envisioned as a potent tool for the manipulation and control of bacteria. However, the development of a modular system that can consume quorum sensing molecules in a population-independent or exogenously controlled manner has yet to be developed. In this work, we have developed bacterial quorum consumers, 'bacterial vacuums', that reduce or eliminate the 'universal' quorum sensing signal, autoinducer-2, in a controlled fashion. For this, we have generated a suite of strains comprised of mutations and altered regulatory structures of the Lsr operon. They are designed via the compartmentalization of different aspects of AI-2 breakdown-uptake, phosphorylation and degradation. By developing an independent regulatory network for AI-2, we have decoupled the consumption of AI-2 from bacterial population density. Through the development of these bacterial vacuums that consume AI-2 independent of population density, we have shown the ability to regulate the uptake extracellular AI-2, modulate or silence intra and interspecies bacterial cross-talk, and disturb biofilm formation. We envision such cells might find utility in minimally disturbing natural cell-cell processes, as no exogenous chemicals (oxidants, antibiotics, etc.) are needed. Instead, engineered cells that are native to the ecosystem are altered to guide population based phenotypes.

Quorum quenching: Development of "bacterial vacuums" to modulate and control bacterial communication and gene expression

247th National Meeting (2014)

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