Communication Between Vibrio fischeri Populations within the Squid Light Organ

Quorum sensing describes the synthesis and detection of small signaling molecules, called autoinducers (AI), that allow individual bacterial cells to coordinate functions as a group. Quorum sensing regulates cellular activities that are important for survival within a host, such as biofilm formation and virulence. Using the mutualism established between the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri and bobtail squid, I study the ability of segregated bacterial populations to communicate via AI to promote symbiotic function.