Bistability in inositol utilization by Salmonella

This research project will analyse the population heterogeneity of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) during growth with myo-inositol (MI) as sole carbon and energy source. Hallmarks of S. Typhimurium growth with MI are two distinct phenotypes, an extended lag phase of two days, the manifestation of hysteresis, stochastic bistability of at least one iol promoter, positive and negative feedback-loops involving the novel inducer ReiD and the repressor IolR, and the influence of external stimuli. Since MI-utilization contributes to Salmonella virulence, this is a unique example of a stochastically switching metabolic property linked with bacterial pathogenicity.