Fig. 1

Illustration of a putative decision-making process underlying the observed dynamic allocation of cellular internal resources. The evolution or culture history normally confers the cell an intrinsic objective, e.g. maximisation of growth, which forms objective-driven demands. For engineered organisms, additional demands can originate from synthetic burdens. If the demands can be met by available external and internal resources, the current objective will be achieved. Otherwise, the cell can detect limitations and devise response strategies, e.g. modulating its internal resources, or under certain circumstances, reconfigure its objective