Formation of phage lysis patterns and implications on co-propagation of phages and motile host bacteria

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007236
• Publication Date: 2020-03-13T17:37:56Z
• Authors: Xiaochu Li; Floricel Gonzalez; Nathaniel Esteves; Birgit E. Scharf; Jing Chen
• Keywords: Lytic cycle; Lysogenic cycle

Coexistence of bacteriophages, or phages, and their host bacteria plays an important role in maintaining the microbial communities. In natural environments with limited nutrients, motile can actively migrate towards locations richer resources. Although phages are not themselves, they infect bacterial hosts spread space via hosts. Therefore, a migrating community coexistence implies co-propagation space. Here, we combine experimental approach mathematical modeling to explore how coexist co-propagate. When lytic encountered our set up, sector-shaped lysis zone formed. Our model indicates that local nutrient depletion resulting inhibition proliferation motility key formation observed pattern. The further reveals straight radial boundaries pattern as telltale sign for phages. Emergence such pattern, albeit insensitive extrinsic factors, requires balance between intrinsic biological properties bacteria, which likely results from coevolution bacteria.