Individual based Modelling of Biofilm Colonisation

Abstract

Bacterial biofilms on implants or host tissue can cause unwanted infections. One of the main factors for the pathogenic biofilm growth is the initial adhesion of the bacteria. In this project a framework for systematic studies of the bacterial adhesion is provided. Therefore, an Individual based Model (IbM) is set up in the IbM solver NUFEB, an extension of the molecular dynamics code LAMMPS, which integrates Newton's equations of motion for the cells that interact via various forces. Experimentally measured adhesion forces are implemented for the cell-wall and cell-cell interaction. Furthermore, the random movement of planktonic cells is included into the IbM software. A sensitivity analysis of important parameters and an exemplary simulation of the attachment are performed. Thus, the attachment of the bacterial cells and the initial growth of a biofilm can be qualitatively modelled.