• Two-color timelapse for alsS/sucC and genes showing correlation and anti-correlation in single-cell population distributions: Are all promoters downstream of comK turned on at the same time? What governs alsS activation? etc.
  • What happens when you add acetate or acetoin during competent cell preparation?
  • Is the mechanism suggested in Figure 4 and described in the discussion section consistent with acetate/acetoin transport throughout the gel pad and in/out of the cell? We discussed possible experiments with intracellular or coverslip-bound sensors of [acetate]/[acetoin] and pH.