Migration alters oscillatory dynamics and promotes survival in connected bacterial populations
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Migration influences population dynamics on networks, thereby playing a vital role in scenarios ranging from species extinction to epidemic propagation. While low migration rates prevent local populations from becoming extinct, high migration rates enhance the risk of global extinction by synchronizing the dynamics of connected populations. Here, we investigate this trade-off using two mutualistic strains of E. coli that exhibit population oscillations when co-cultured. In experiments, as well as in simulations using a mechanistic model, we observe that high migration rates lead to synchronization whereas intermediate migration rates perturb the oscillations and change their period. Further, our simulations predict, and experiments show, that connected populations subjected to more challenging antibiotic concentrations have the highest probability of survival at intermediate migration rates. Finally, we identify altered population dynamics, rather than recolonization, as the primary cause of extended survival.
Source: Nature Communications
Institutions: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
Awards: CAREER: Exploration of Evolutionary Dynamics on Rugged Fitness Landscapes, Cooperation and conflict in microbial systems: sucrose metabolism in yeast, Environmental modulation of microbial conflict and cooperation, G6671297155, Cooperation and conflict in microbial systems: sucrose metabolism in yeast
OpenAlex ID: W2948945081