Quorum sensing communication between lipid-based artificial cells

Abstract

Population behavior based on quorum sensing communication is a key property of living microorganisms. Here, we show quorum sensing behavior in an artificial cell population consisting of giant lipid vesicles loaded with sender–receiver machinery (enzymes and responsive biomolecules). Our system allows the examination of the collective output based on cell density, fuel concentration and proximity, which are important factors controlling natural quorum sensing behavior.