Emergent robustness of bacterial quorum sensing in fluid flow

Significance Bacteria control multicellular behaviors through a process called quorum sensing (QS). Because QS signaling molecules diffuse between cells, they are susceptible to removal by external fluid flow, which is a ubiquitous feature of bacterial habitats ranging from the lungs, gut, and nasal passage to rivers, lakes, and oceans. It is therefore vital to account for realistic flow conditions when assessing the functional role of QS...