Emergence of sector and spiral patterns from a two-species mutualistic cross-feeding model

ABSTRACT: The ubiquitous existence of microbial communities marks the importance of understanding how species interact within the community to coexist and their spatial organization. We study a two-species mutualistic cross-feeding model through a stochastic cellular automaton on a square lattice using kinetic Monte Carlo simulation. Our model encapsulates the essential dynamic processes such as cell growth, and nutrient excretion, diffusion and uptake. Focusing on the interplay among nutrient diffusion and individual cell division, we discover three general classes of colony morphology: co-existing sectors, co-existing spirals, and engulfment. When the cross-feeding nutrient is widely available, either through high excretion or fast diffusion, a stable circular colony with alternating species secto

SUBMITTER: Lin J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9581386 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature