𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫?

In this study, mathematicians Maarten Droste and Bob Planqué together with VU systems biologist Frank Bruggeman explored the phenomenon of overflow metabolism — a curious metabolic strategy where microbes shift from efficient energy production to a more wasteful, less efficient mode. This behaviour seems counterintuitive and is therefore of particular interest in the field of systems biology.

In this work, the authors derive conditions for the occurrence of such a metabolic shift, using a core model of metabolism and growth. It turns out that, once a critical growth rate is reached, the efficient metabolic machinery can no longer keep up. The cell then turns to the less efficient but faster mode to meet its energy demands. Using a coarse-grained approach, this research thereby illustrates how microbes balance energy production with the need to grow and divide rapidly.

Please find the full article on bioRxiv.