Speaker
Description
How bacterial cells maintain energetic balance under complete nutrient deprivation remains largely unknown. In this study, the single-cell energy dynamics of Escherichia coli exposed to extreme starvation, a condition in which no external nutrients are available, was investigated. Using QUEEN-2m, a genetically encoded fluorescence ATP sensor, intracellular ATP levels in individual cells were quantified over prolonged starvation. Preliminary results reveal heterogenous ATP decay kinetics and variable persistence of motor activity, suggesting distinct energetic states within the population. These findings provide new insights into how bacteria manage their residual energy resources under extremes stress and contribute to the understanding of cellular survival strategies in nutrient-depleted environments.
