No label defined (Q4258097)

Traditionally, bacterial colonies are grown in the lab on thick substrate with a high nutrient level and intermediate agar concentration. Under such ``friendly'' conditions, the colonies typically develop simple compact patterns. However, in nature bacteria must regularly cope with adverse environmental conditions, one of which is low level of nutrients. We set out to study microbial behavior under nutritional stress, and observed formation of complex bacterial patterns. Efficient adaptation of the colony to the imposed growth conditions requires adaptive self-organization -- which can only be achieved via cooperative behavior of the individual cells. For this, the bacteria have developed various communication channels: from direct (by contact) cell-cell physical and chemical interaction, through indirect physical and chemical interactions via marks left on the agar surface and chemical (chemotactic) signaling, to genetic communication via exchange of genetic material. We will show that the observed complex patterns reflect the communication and cooperation capabilities of the bacteria. Moreover, the bacteria can develop, via designed genetic changes, new patterns which are better adapted to the growth conditions. It implies that the organization of the colony during complex patterning can directly affect the adaptive mutagenesis of the individual cells, and vice-versa. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0913.00025].