Although past efforts have been dedicated to studying intelligent processes in humans, other mammals, and birds, the topic the microbial intelligence has recently been currently gaining traction. Analysis of microbial models and comparative genomics studies confirm that microbes have evolved diverse means of memory, learning, and processing information; all of which are classified as ‘intelligent behavior’.
The most studied manifestations of intelligence in the microbial world include decision-making, problem-solving, associative learning, and quorum sensing. A better understanding of microbial intelligence can be utilized to solve human problems.
Decision making:
Microbes are able to monitor their environment, process information, and intelligently make a decision. These decisions can be made through various mechanisms and networks such as gene-expression regulation, signaling pathways, transport, metabolism, etc. There are ongoing studies involved in constructing genome-wide protein interaction networks to gain a better understanding of the molecules and interconnections required for microbes to make decisions.
The most well-studied example of microbes decision-making capabilities is the chemotaxis of E. coli. These microbes decide by monitoring their environment through plasma membrane receptors. If these receptors bind to certain ligands, a signaling pathway involving phosphorylation and methylation is induced within the cells. In this example, it is the level of phosphorylated CheY, a downstream protein of the signaling pathway, that ultimately decides which of two movements the E. coli cells undertake.
In the presence of an attractor ligand-receptor interaction, CheY is phosphorylated and binds to the flagellar motor. This causes the motor to rotate anti-clockwise, thus inducing a straight-swimming motion of E. coli cells. In contrast, in the absence of an attractor ligand-receptor interaction, CheY remains unphosphorylated and cannot bind to the flagellar motor. This causes the motor to rotate clockwise, thus inducing a tumbling motion of E. coli cells.
By utilizing this mechanism, E. coli can process information through their surroundings to decide whether to move towards or away from certain stimuli, ultimately increasing their chances of survival. For instance, this method allows E. coli cells to decide to move towards nutrients and away from toxic compounds.
Problem solving
Using knowledge to solve new problems is an essential feature required to make an intelligent system. It is generally accepted that organisms with greater intelligence can solve more complex problems. Certain microbial systems have displayed problem-solving capabilities that can be utilized for survival. In some cases, these abilities can match or even surpass those displayed by humans.
The benefits of understanding microbial intelligence
Understanding the mechanisms that underly microbial intelligence is an ongoing field of research. Scientists are invested in utilizing this knowledge to modify existing microbial networks or potentially create new ones to use to our advantage.
For example, extensive research is being dedicated to continuing to understand bacterial population dynamics including cell division, quorum sensing, bacterial secretion systems, and metabolite-sensing networks. Such knowledge can be used to design and develop novel antibacterial drug therapies to treat patients, especially since the efficacy of current treatments has declined over time due to antibiotic resistance in microbial populations.
Other interests include designing and improving biodegradation processes of microbes to use in wastewater treatment; as well as manipulating microbial metabolism for chemical production in biomedicine and food industries. Continuing to gain a better understanding of microbial dynamics and intelligence will allow for these ideas to become a reality in the near future.
Website: International Conference on Infectious Diseases
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