consenma

Consenma is a term used in theoretical biology to describe a hypothetical class of small, diffusible signaling molecules that coordinate collective behavior in microbial communities. The concept is primarily discussed in modeling and speculative discussions rather than established empirical science.

The name combines “consensus” and “molecule” and has appeared in speculative discussions since the 2010s.

In proposed models, consenma is produced by a subset of cells, diffuses through the environment, and binds to a receptor that modulates transcriptional programs, enabling synchronized behaviors such as biofilm formation, sporulation, or metabolic switching. It is distinguished from classical quorum sensing molecules by its emphasis on integrating multiple environmental cues rather than responding to population density alone.

As of now, consenma remains hypothetical; there is no direct experimental confirmation. Some researchers view it as a useful abstraction for studying population-level coordination, while others caution that it risks conflating existing signaling pathways.

If supported by future work, consenma-inspired concepts could inform the design of stable engineered microbial consortia and provide new lenses for interpreting microbiome dynamics. See also quorum sensing, cell signaling, microbial consortia, and synthetic biology.