Researchers at the University of Tsukuba explored the interplay between genetics and environmental factors on bacterial growth through a high-throughput growth assay and machine learning techniques. Their results highlighted that the chemicals in the environment have differing effects on bacterial growth, influenced by the amount of sugar available. Additionally, the team found that the growth changes brought about by genetic factors and environmental influences tend to balance each other out.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba explored the genetic and environmental factors impacting bacterial growth using high-throughput assays and machine learning. They discovered that the effects of environmental chemicals on growth can differ based on the amount of sugar present. The team also found that the growth changes driven by genetic and environmental factors tend to counteract each other.
Cell growth is influenced by both genetic and environmental variables. While earlier studies have looked into how these factors affect growth individually, it’s crucial to conduct research that examines their interactions. Further exploration into genetic and environmental interactions is still needed. This research employed high-throughput biological experiments along with machine learning analysis to assess how gene-chemical interactions influence bacterial growth.
In this study, 115 genetically distinct Escherichia coli strains were grown under 135 different nutritional conditions, incorporating combinations of 48 various chemicals. A large dataset was generated, consisting of around 14,000 growth profiles from the high-throughput assays. Machine learning techniques were then applied to analyze this dataset and examine how chemical nutrients affect growth. The team identified that the impact of the 48 chemicals on the 115 unique bacterial strains varied based on sugar availability. They also used a theoretical model to assess gene-chemical interactions, demonstrating that the changes in growth due to genetic and environmental differences largely offset each other. This balancing effect likely represents a fundamental survival strategy for bacteria in their natural habitats.
This research sheds light on the factors that govern cell growth and expands our understanding of fundamental biological principles. These findings may lead to advancements in practical applications, such as optimizing cell culture in industrial settings.
This study was backed by the JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research (grant number 21K19815).
