Bacteria in humans are becoming increasingly important to modern medicine. They are understood to play roles in hundreds of human systems from mood regulation to metastatic colonization in breast cancer. They even decide what foods you will crave. This study takes a bidirectional approach to understanding the gut microbiome through characterization of a Whole Cell Biosensor (WCB) capable of detecting the presence and quantity of novel quorum sensing molecule 3,5-dimethyl-pyrazine-2-ol (DPO), as well as a biogeographical approach to the large intestine microbiome through 16S Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (FISH). We were able to effectively characterize the biosensor for future use in-vivo, as well as design a working protocol for the 16S FISH technique to be used in targeting other microbial mechanisms in the mouse large intestine. This presents a valuable approach to understanding the complex interactions of the gut microbiota, as well as a potential method for early detection of virulence in-vivo.
