A microbial model of economic trading and comparative advantage

• Published in: Journal of theoretical biology Vol. 364; pp. 326 - 343
• Main Authors: Enyeart, Peter J., Simpson, Zachary B., Ellington, Andrew D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 07.01.2015
• Subjects: Algorithms; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Bacteria - drug effects; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; Bacterial signaling; Biofilms; Biological Evolution; Coculture Techniques; Cooperation; Ecology; Models, Theoretical; Non-linear dynamics; Signal Transduction; Synthetic Biology; Synthetic biology; Ecology; Bacterial signaling; Cooperation; Non-linear dynamics
• ISSN: 0022-5193; 1095-8541
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2014.09.030

The economic theory of comparative advantage postulates that beneficial trading relationships can be arrived at by two self-interested entities producing the same goods as long as they have opposing relative efficiencies in producing those goods. The theory predicts that upon entering trade, in order to maximize consumption both entities will specialize in producing the good they can produce at higher efficiency, that the weaker entity will specialize more completely than the stronger entity, and that both will be able to consume more goods as a result of trade than either would be able to alone. We extend this theory to the realm of unicellular organisms by developing mathematical models of genetic circuits that allow trading of a common good (specifically, signaling molecules) required for growth in bacteria in order to demonstrate comparative advantage interactions. In Conception 1, the experimenter controls production rates via exogenous inducers, allowing exploration of the parameter space of specialization. In Conception 2, the circuits self-regulate via feedback mechanisms. Our models indicate that these genetic circuits can demonstrate comparative advantage, and that cooperation in such a manner is particularly favored under stringent external conditions and when the cost of production is not overly high. Further work could involve implementing the models in living bacteria and searching for naturally occurring cooperative relationships between bacteria that conform to the principles of comparative advantage. [Display omitted] •Comparative advantage is an economic theory explaining trade interactions.•Mathematical models of designed bacteria adhere to comparative advantage principles.•Cooperative trading is more favored when growth is difficult to achieve.•Self-regulated systems cooperate better at similar, lower production levels.•Antibiotics could both attack enemies and encourage allies to cooperate.