Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-jr42d Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-18T04:38:41.988Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A simple cellular automaton model for coaggregation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2005

J. Wimpenny
Affiliation:
Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Biomedical Sciences Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3US, UK
R. Colasanti
Affiliation:
School of Applied Sciences, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL, Wales, UK

Abstract

Aggregation is a common phenomenon in microbiology. It manifests itself in different forms ranging from loose irregular structures such as effluent floc and marine snow to the ordered aggregates that show the reproducible patterns seen in many microbial colonies. Aggregation conveys advantages to microorganisms. These include transfer of chemical signals, exchange of genetic information, protection from adverse environmental conditions, metabolic cooperation between different species, as well as cell differentiation in some populations. Coaggregation is now recognized as a mechanism for allowing specific association between collaborating bacterial species. We describe a simple cellular automaton that illustrates structures that could form when different species interact. In particular the importance of neighbours is investigated.

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
© 2005 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)