We propose and study models of two distributed synthetic gene circuits, toggle-switch and oscillator, each split between two cell strains and coupled via quorum-sensing signals. The distributed toggle switch relies on mutual repression of the two strains, and oscillator is comprised of two strains, one of which acts as an activator for another that in turn acts as a repressor. Distributed toggle switch can exhibit mobile fronts, switching the system from the weaker to the stronger spatially homogeneous state. The circuit can also act as a biosensor, with the switching front dynamics determined by the properties of an external signal. Distributed oscillator system displays another biosensor functionality: oscillations emerge once a small amount of one cell strain appears amid the other, present in abundance. Distribution of synthetic gene circuits among multiple strains allows one to reduce crosstalk among different parts of the overall system and also decrease the energetic burden of the synthetic circuit per cell, which may allow for enhanced functionality and viability of engineered cells.

我们提出并研究了两个分布式合成基因电路（拨动开关和振荡器）的模型，每个电路在两个细胞株之间分裂，并通过群体感应信号耦合。分布式拨动开关依赖于两个菌株的相互抑制，而振荡器由两个菌株组成，其中一个菌株充当激活剂，而另一菌株又充当抑制因子。分布式拨动开关可以展现出移动前沿，将系统从较弱的空间均匀状态切换为较强的空间状态。该电路还可以充当生物传感器，其开关前动态由外部信号的特性决定。分布式振荡器系统显示出另一种生物传感器功能：一旦少量的一种细胞株出现在另一种细胞株中，并大量出现，就会出现振荡。