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March 4th, 2025
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Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia (CNB), CSIC, Madrid, Spain, and Grupo Interdisciplinar de Sistemas Complejos (GISC)
systems biology
biorxiv

Spatial dynamics and emergent properties of pLS20 conjugation on solid surfaces

Lopez-Maroto, A.Open in Google Scholar•Meijer, W. J. J.Open in Google Scholar•Buceta, J.Open in Google Scholar•Ares, S.Open in Google Scholar

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a major evolutionary process in bacteria, driving the dissemination of genetic traits including antibiotic resistance (AR). In this study, we employ a hybrid modeling approach, combining agent-based simulations and Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE) models, to investigate bacterial conjugation-a key HGT mechanism whose dynamics remain poorly understood. Our agent-based simulations of the transfer dynamics of the conjugative plasmid pLS20 from Bacillus subtilis reveal that spatial organization, colony growth dynamics, and quorum-sensing regulation significantly influence plasmid dissemination. Increased donor-recipient mixing enhances plasmid transmission by reducing quorum-induced repression, while colony growth-driven displacement of donor cells alters the local distribution of quorum-sensing signals, enabling sustained conjugation activity at the colony periphery. Complementary ODE modeling captures macroscopic trends in plasmid transmission, providing insights into the interplay between spatial factors and regulatory mechanisms. By bridging single-cell regulatory dynamics with population-level behaviors, this study advances our understanding of bacterial conjugation on solid surfaces, offering potential strategies for mitigating the spread of antibiotic resistance.

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