Explore spatial interaction networks in microbial communities through this 38-minute conference talk from the Santa Fe Institute's 2022 Workshop on Constructing & Deconstructing Collectives. Delve into the study of microbial communities using microfluidic devices and timelapse imaging to understand local interactions and interaction ranges. Discover the concept of quorum sensing and learn why the length of interactions matters in microbial ecosystems. Investigate low affinity transporters, interaction ranges, and the role of multiple metabolites in shaping microbial community dynamics. Gain insights from the subsequent Q&A session, which further elaborates on the presented concepts and their implications for understanding collective behavior in microbial systems.