Fig. 6. MSBC platform enabled communication across the species.

a Schematic shows that MSBC platform could modulate the communication across the species. We programmed the E. coli to express 3-oxo-C₁₂-HSL (3OC12) under induction and generated the MSB_sender. We programed the S. cerevisiae with a circuit bearing the corresponding inducible allosteric transcription factors (VP16-LasR), and generated the MSB_receiver. The signals (3OC12) of MSB_sender diffused across the cell membranes and polymeric capsules, and were sensed by the MSB_receiver to drive the expression of the YFP. MSBC could tightly module the signal intensity. A higher MSB_sender seeding density led to an increased concentration of signaling molecules, which triggered a stronger expression of YFP of MSB_receiver. b Increasing the seeding density of MSB_sender gradually lighted up the MSB_receiver. MSB_sender and MSB_receiver were co-cultured with different seeding ratios (~2000 MSBs in total) into the medium (1 mL LB+SC). The number on the images indicated the seeding density of MSB_sender ($\frac{{MSB}_{sender}}{{MSB}_{sender}+{MSB}_{receiver}}$). The resultant MSBC were all cultured at 30 °C for 24 h. There were hardly any YFP signals in the absence of MSB_sender. Increasing the MSB_sender density gradually lighted up the MSB_receiver because of the increased concentration of signaling molecules (3OC12). Scale bar = 200 μm. c Quantification results reflected that MSBC strategy precisely modulated the composition of consortia. The cells of MSBC were released from the polymeric capsules and counted by the flow cytometry measurement. The x axis indicated the seeding density of MSB_sender. Error bars = standard deviation (n = 3 biologically independent samples). d Quantification results reflected that MSBC strategy tightly modulated the signal intensity. Cells were released from the MSBC. YFP intensity was quantified through the flow cytometry (the median of the population) and normalized by the value when seeding density of MSB_sender equals to 0. The x axis indicated the seeding density of MSB_sender. Error bars = standard deviation (n = 3 biologically independent samples). Source data are provided as a Source Data file.