Modeling the bacterial self-organization in a circular container along the contact line as detected by bioluminescence imaging

Remigijus Šimkus,Romas Baronas

doi:10.15388/na.16.3.14093

Remigijus Šimkus, Romas Baronas

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.15388/na.16.3.14093

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Journal: Nonlinear Analysis: Modelling and Control	Publication Date: Jul 25, 2011
Citations: 8	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Vilnius University

Abstract

This paper presents a one-dimensional-in-space mathematical model of a bacterial selforganization in a circular container along the contact line as detected by quasi-one-dimensional bioluminescence imaging. The pattern formation in a luminous Escherichia coli colony was modeled by the nonlinear reaction-diffusion-chemotaxis equations in which the reaction term for the cells is a logistic (autocatalytic) growth function. By varying the input parameters the output results were analyzed with a special emphasis on the influence of the model parameters on the pattern formation. The numerical simulation at transition conditions was carried out using the finite difference technique. The mathematical model and the numerical solution were validated by experimental data.

Highlights

The survival of many microscopic as well as large organisms often depends on their ability to move within an environment by responding to internal and external signals
Chemotaxis has been observed in many bacterial species, Escherichia coli is one of the mostly studied examples
We investigate the bacterial self-organization in a small circular container along the contact line as detected by quasi-one-dimensional bioluminescence imaging

Summary

Introduction

The survival of many microscopic as well as large organisms often depends on their ability to move within an environment by responding to internal and external signals. Microorganisms respond to different chemicals found in their environment by migrating either toward or away from them. The directed movement of microorganisms in response to chemical gradients is called chemotaxis [1]. Chemotaxis plays crucial role in a wide range of biological phenomena. Chemotaxis affects avian gastrulation and patterning of the nervous system. Chemotaxis has been observed in many bacterial species, Escherichia coli is one of the mostly studied examples. E. coli respond to the chemical stimulus by alternating the rotational direction of their flagella [1]

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