Figure 2.

Functional elements for the culture of spatially linked microbial consortia.

(a) Represented is a hypothetical microbial consortium composed of members with incompatible requirements, as described by the different temperatures, pHs, and oxygen concentrations… Independently controlled modules containing the different members are connected to allow exchanges of metabolic by-products to achieve the desired function. Valves would control the mode (here pulses of media of volume V would be injected in the first module at regular time intervals) and rates of fluxes between modules to optimize the output of the consortium. Cells could be replaced independently as needed. Symbionts could be co-cultured if full segregation was detrimental. (b) The modularity of SLMC would allow the incorporation of microbial consortia into larger biochemical network, forming a conceptualized biological circuit board.