Synthetic microbial consortia and their applications

While synthetic biology has created a multitude of novel behaviors in single populations of cells, it is increasingly recognized that the engineering of microbial consortia, which consist of two or more populations, is required to generate more complex dynamics and to increase the robustness of programmed behavior. We review recent efforts towards the construction and analysis of microbial consortia. We discuss key considerations when designing a consortium and how such consortia may be engineered to implement cooperation or competition between populations. We discuss how the spatial arrangement of a consortium, whether in naturally forming biofilms or in rationally designed nonbiofilm spatial orientations, can allow novel behaviors to emerge. Furthermore, we touch upon studies that have observed the rapid evolution of interactions within synthetic consortia. Finally, we conclude by discussing potential applications of consortia in medicine and biotechnology.