The process of bacterial cell division has long been thought to occur when a cell reaches a certain size. However, new research from the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences shows that this may not be the case. Instead, cells divide when they add a specific number of molecules, leading to a more precise and less sensitive process.
Previous theories suggested that dividing at a specific size, known as the sizer strategy, was the best way to maintain precise cell size. However, the new study suggests that the adder strategy, where cells divide based on the number of molecules added, is actually more accurate. This new insight comes from incorporating molecular level changes into mathematical models of cell division.
The adder strategy, which involves dividing based on the number of molecules added, is found to be more precise and less sensitive to errors during replication. By considering both the amount of mass and the number of molecules, researchers were able to demonstrate that this strategy is more effective at maintaining cell size. This novel research challenges previous assumptions about the best method for cell division.
The work of Motasem ElGamel, a doctoral student in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, has shed light on the true nature of cell division strategies. By focusing on molecular level changes, ElGamel was able to show that the adder method is more precise than previously believed. This groundbreaking research highlights the importance of considering molecules in understanding bacterial cell division.
Cells use the adder method of division because it is more precise and less sensitive to mistakes during replication. By taking into account the number of molecules added alongside the increase in mass, this strategy is able to maintain cell size more effectively. This study has demonstrated the importance of understanding cell division at the molecular level in order to unlock the true nature of these processes.
