Understanding the link between single cell and population scale responses of Escherichia coli in differing ligand gradients.

ABSTRACT: We formulate an agent-based population model of Escherichia coli cells which incorporates a description of the chemotaxis signalling cascade at the single cell scale. The model is used to gain insight into the link between the signalling cascade dynamics and the overall population response to differing chemoattractant gradients. Firstly, we consider how the observed variation in total (phosphorylated and unphosphorylated) signalling protein concentration affects the ability of cells to accumulate in differing chemoattractant gradients. Results reveal that a variation in total cell protein concentration between cells may be a mechanism for the survival of cell colonies across a wide range of differing environments. We then study the response of cells in the presence of two different chemoat

SUBMITTER: Edgington MP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4660157 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature