Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Pattern formation and differential interactions are important for microbial consortia to divide labor and perform complex functions. To obtain further insight into such interactions, we present a computational method for simulating physically separated microbial colonies, each implementing different gene regulatory networks. We validate our theory by experimentally demonstrating control over gene expression patterns in a diffusion-mediated lateral inhibition circuit. We highlight the importance of spatial arrangement as a control knob for modulating system behavior. Our systematic approach provides a foundation for future applications that require understanding and engineering of multistrain microbial communities for sophisticated, synergistic functions.