Cellular control of the synthesis and activity of the bacterial luminescent system
Bacterial bioluminescence is density-dependent
This landmark paper established the foundational discovery of quorum sensing - that bacteria coordinate behavior through chemical signals (autoinducers) that accumulate at high population density.
The discovery that Vibrio fischeri only produces bioluminescence when population density exceeds a threshold revolutionized understanding of bacterial communication and provided the biological basis for threshold-triggered coordination in organizational contexts.
Key Findings from Nealson et al. (1970)
- Bacterial bioluminescence is density-dependent
- Autoinducer molecules accumulate as population grows
- Gene expression changes when autoinducer crosses threshold
- Individual bacteria coordinate behavior through chemical signaling
- Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence is density-dependent, not continuous
- Cultures remained dark until population crossed ~10^7 cells/mL threshold
- Light production was coordinated across the population, not individual
- Bacteria were effectively 'counting themselves' through chemical signaling
Used in 2 chapters
See how this research informs the book's frameworks:
Landmark paper establishing foundational discovery that bacteria coordinate behavior through chemical signals that accumulate at high population density.
See chemical coordination foundations →Original discovery of quorum sensing in Vibrio fischeri - first documentation of density-dependent collective behavior in bacteria.
See quorum sensing origins →