Emergent digital bio-computation through spatial diffusion and engineered bacteria

Alex J. H. Fedorec (), Neythen J. Treloar, Ke Yan Wen, Linda Dekker, Qing Hsuan Ong, Gabija Jurkeviciute, Enbo Lyu, Jack W. Rutter, Kathleen J. Y. Zhang, Luca Rosa, Alexey Zaikin and Chris P. Barnes ()
Additional contact information
Alex J. H. Fedorec: University College London
Neythen J. Treloar: University College London
Ke Yan Wen: University College London
Linda Dekker: University College London
Qing Hsuan Ong: University College London
Gabija Jurkeviciute: University College London
Enbo Lyu: University College London
Jack W. Rutter: University College London
Kathleen J. Y. Zhang: University College London
Luca Rosa: University College London
Alexey Zaikin: University College London
Chris P. Barnes: University College London

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Biological computing is a promising field with potential applications in biosafety, environmental monitoring, and personalized medicine. Here we present work on the design of bacterial computers using spatial patterning to process information in the form of diffusible morphogen-like signals. We demonstrate, mathematically and experimentally, that single, modular, colonies can perform simple digital logic, and that complex functions can be built by combining multiple colonies, removing the need for further genetic engineering. We extend our experimental system to incorporate sender colonies as morphogen sources, demonstrating how one might integrate different biochemical inputs. Our approach will open up ways to perform biological computation, with applications in bioengineering, biomaterials and biosensing. Ultimately, these computational bacterial communities will help us explore information processing in natural biological systems.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49264-3

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