Quorum Quenching
Recognize that competitors may attempt to disrupt your coordination mechanisms.
Quorum quenching is the interference with or degradation of quorum-sensing signals to disrupt coordination in competitors. Some organisms produce enzymes (acylases, lactonases) that cleave autoinducer molecules, preventing quorum-sensing activation. Marine algae secrete halogenated furanones that mimic autoinducers but block quorum-sensing receptors, preventing biofilm formation.
Human blood serum contains paraoxonases that degrade Pseudomonas aeruginosa autoinducers, limiting biofilm formation in the bloodstream. Therapeutic quorum quenching - administering enzymes or competitive inhibitors that disrupt bacterial quorum sensing - is an emerging anti-infection strategy.
Business Application of Quorum Quenching
Recognize that competitors may attempt to disrupt your coordination mechanisms. Conversely, understand that disrupting competitor coordination can provide competitive advantage. Quorum sensing signals are observable - competitors can detect and respond to them.