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Non-genetic individuality: chance in the single cell

Abstract

The individuality of bacterial cells grown in homogeneous conditions was demonstrated by showing characteristic behavioural differences which persist over their lifespans. Poissonian fluctuation of small numbers of generator molecules can explain this individuality and may apply to such processes as differentiation and asynchrony of cultures.

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Spudich, J., Koshland, D. Non-genetic individuality: chance in the single cell. Nature 262, 467–471 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/262467a0

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