A whole more than the sum of its synthetic parts.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Synthetic biology is the realization of systems with desired behavior using biological materials. A recent addition to the field is a bipartite consortium of the bacterium Escherichia coli in which each species harbors complementary gene circuits that actuate only when both are present above a critical density. This bacterial "consensus" system, functional in liquid, solid, and biofilm niches, represents a novel strategy that raises the bar in terms of the specificity and complexity of tasks performed by engineered organisms.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Wong, JV; Song, H; You, L

Published Date

  • January 2008

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 3 / 1

Start / End Page

  • 27 - 29

PubMed ID

  • 18205290

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1554-8937

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1554-8929

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1021/cb700256w

Language

  • eng