"Cell Signaling" and "Quorum Sensing"

Cell Signaling and Quorum Sensing are fundamentally new discoveries in microbial science, however they have existed in nature since the dawn of time. The fact that you are reading this now is testament to the fact that you are controlling the bacteria both within you and over you. Part of this control process is through the use of trace levels of chemical cell signals. Within our bodies we wish to encourage beneficial bacteria while disrupting potentially hazardous microbes. Part of the encouragement and disruption of the microbes is achieved through the use of trace levels of chemical cell signals. Similarly plants uses trace levels of chemical cell signals to control microbes in their environment.
(See related article: Biology News)


In 1996 Scientists first realised that bacteria have to communicate with one another in order to form Biofilms or slimes. Biofilms are ubiquitous in nature. They are formed by microbes in order to maximise the use of a food resource.


Bacteria have to talk with one another order to form Biofilm complexes. The communication signals are via trace levels of chemicals, known as chemical cell signals. These trace levels of chemical signals can increase both the metabolic and reproduction rate of the bacteria or slow down the reproduction and metabolic rate of the bacteria.



How do Biosol's Cell Signaling & Quorum Sensing Products Work in a Sewage Catchment?
In a sewage catchment, Biosol use trace levels of chemical cell signals to slow down (down regulate) both the metabolic and reproduction rate of the bacteria. This can be equated with the microbes being sent into hibernation. Reducing the metabolic rate of the microbes reduces the oxygen demand by the microbes in the sewage catchment and dissolved oxygen levels rise in the sewage (See Biosol Research). This impedes the formation of sulfides and the resultant formation of sulfuric acid with the associated infrastructure corrosion.


As the metabolic and reproduction rate of the microbes decreases, the biofilms lining the catchment pipe walls also begin to disintegrate. Removal of these biofilms eliminates the cause of odour generation within the sewage catchment.


For fat, oil & grease to attach to the catchment pipes, polysaccharides produced by bacteria in the formation of biofilms appears to be necessary. The removal of the biofilms reduces the likelihood of fat, oil and grease accumulation in the pipes. Additionally cell signals are used to stimulate the microbes that biologically consume the fat, oil and grease in the catchment pipes. Thus fat and grease are biologically consumed and have a reduced ability to attach to pipe walls.



How do Biosol's Cell Signaling & Quorum Sensing Products Work at the Sewage Treatment Plant?
As the sewage approaches the sewage treatment plant, the down regulating cell signals are biologically degraded. The bacteria wake up as the "up regulating" cell signaling chemicals take over. Both the metabolic and reproduction rate of the microbes rapidly increase. Sewage process is faster and more complete, resulting in better quality effluents, improved sludge settle-ability and decreased sludge volumes with a lower organic content.


A significant body of research work across the world has shown the impact that cell signaling compounds can have on microbial control in various parts of the sewer system.