Quorum sensing is a regulatory system used by bacteria for controlling gene expression in response to increasing cell density. Different quorum sensing molecules are produced at different times in bacterial population growth and have distinct cellular effects mediated through changes in gene expression. N-3-hydroxyoctanoyl-L-Homoserine lactone is a small diffusible signaling molecule secreted by various bacteria. This lactone can have activating or suppressing effects on gene expression and biofilm formation, respectively. N-3-hydroxyoctanoyl-L-Homoserine lactone is produced via lactonolysis from 3-oxooctanoyl-homoserine lactone, altering quorum sensing or contributing to quorum quenching.