4-bit adhesion logic enables universal multicellular interface patterning

Multicellular systems, from bacterial biofilms to human organs, form interfaces (or boundaries) between different cell collectives to spatially organize versatile functions(1,2). The evolution of sufficiently descriptive genetic toolkits probably triggered the explosion of complex multicellular life and patterning(3,4). Synthetic biology aims to engineer multicellular systems for practical applications and to serve as a build-to-understand methodology for natural systems(5–8). However, our ability to engineer multicellular interface patterns(2,9) is still very limited, as synthetic cell–cell adhesion toolkits and suitable patterning algorithms are underdeveloped(5,7,10–13). Here we introduce a synthetic cell–cell adhesin logic with swarming bacteria and establish the precise engineering, predictive modelling and algorithmic programming of multicellular interface patterns. We demonstrate interface generation through a swarming adhesion mechanism, quantitative control over interface geometry and adhesion-mediated analogues of developmental organizers and morphogen fields. Using tiling and four-colour-mapping concepts, we identify algorithms for creating universal target patterns. This synthetic 4-bit adhesion logic advances practical applications such as human-readable molecular diagnostics, spatial fluid control on biological surfaces and programmable self-growing materials(5–8,14). Notably, a minimal set of just four adhesins represents 4 bits of information that suffice to program universal tessellation patterns, implying a low critical threshold for the evolution and engineering of complex multicellular systems(3,5).