Review
Nature Reviews Microbiology 4, 577-587 (August 2006) | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1460
Microbial cell individuality and the underlying sources of heterogeneity
Simon V. Avery1 About the author
Abstract
Single cells in genetically homogeneous microbial cultures exhibit marked phenotypic individuality, a biological phenomenon that is considered to bolster the fitness of populations. Major phenotypes that are characterized by heterogeneity span the breadth of microbiology, in fields ranging from pathogenicity to ecology. The cell cycle, cell ageing and epigenetic regulation are proven drivers of heterogeneity in several of the best-known phenotypic examples. However, the full contribution of factors such as stochastic gene expression is yet to be realized.
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Author affiliations
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School of Biology, Institute of Genetics, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
Email: Simon.Avery@nottingham.ac.uk
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