Multiple asymptotics of kinetic equations with internal states

Abstract

The run and tumble process is well established in order to describe the movement of bacteria in response to a chemical stimulus. However, the relation between the tumbling rate and the internal state of bacteria is poorly understood. This study aims at deriving macroscopic models as limits of the mesoscopic kinetic equation in different regimes. In particular, we are interested in the roles of the stiffness of the response and the adaptation time in the kinetic equation. Depending on the asymptotics chosen both the standard Keller–Segel equation and the flux-limited Keller–Segel (FLKS) equation can appear. An interesting mathematical issue arises with a new type of equilibrium equation leading to solution with singularities.