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High-Throughput Live Imaging of Microcolonies to Measure Heterogeneity in Growth and Gene Expression
Published on: April 18, 2021
Phenotypic heterogeneity of microbial populations under nutrient limitation
Ana Gasperotti1, Sophie Brameyer1, Florian Fabiani1
1Department of Microbiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
Abstract:
Phenotypic heterogeneity is a phenomenon in which genetically identical individuals have different characteristics. This behavior can also be found in bacteria, even if they grow as monospecies in well-mixed environments such as bioreactors. Here it is discussed how phenotypic heterogeneity is generated by internal factors and how it is promoted under nutrient-limited growth conditions. A better understanding of the molecular levels that control phenotypic heterogeneity could improve biotechnological production processes.
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