Complex Adaptive Traits (CATs)

The Bischofs group focuses on spore-forming and industrially-relevant Bacilli which use elaborate strategies to adapt to their 

environment. These bacteria can diversify phenotypically, which is often undesirable in applications, but could be profitably utilized. We study such complex adaptive traits (CATs) at the behavioral and mechanistic level using systems and synthetic biology methods. We specifically address the function of regulatory networks in the formation and organization of heterogeneous populations. By combining experiments using novel microscopy-based assays and modeling, we have investigated the B. subtilis life cycle and cell-cell communication, respectively. This led to the discovery of a quality-quantity tradeoff during spore formation. Moreover, using B. subtilis as a model organism, we are contributing to studies of stress-associated phenomena with implications for humans and the environment, e.g. ROS-driven methane formation in cells.