Phenotypic heterogeneity follows a growth viability tradeoff in response to amino acid identity

How do microorganisms adapt to nutrient scarcity? Using the Multitron incubator shaker, researchers at Imperial College London studied how Saccharomyces cerevisiae responds to nitrogen downshifts. They found that nitrogen sources drive two distinct subpopulations: one focused on growth, the other on survival. This study reveals how amino acids act as key signaling molecules, shaping cellular behavior and adaptation.