Network patterns in exponentially growing 2D biofilms

Anisotropic collective patterns occur frequently in the morphogenesis of 2D biofilms. These patterns are often attributed to growth regulation mechanisms and differentiation based on gradients of diffusing nutrients and signalling molecules. Here, we employ a model of bacterial growth dynamics to sh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 2017-06
Main Authors: Cameron Zachreson, Yap, Xinhui, Gloag, Erin S, Shimoni, Raz, Whitchurch, Cynthia B, Toth, Milos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biofilms
Deformation mechanisms
Differentiation
Nutrients
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Anisotropic collective patterns occur frequently in the morphogenesis of 2D biofilms. These patterns are often attributed to growth regulation mechanisms and differentiation based on gradients of diffusing nutrients and signalling molecules. Here, we employ a model of bacterial growth dynamics to show that even in the absence of growth regulation or differentiation, confinement by an enclosing medium such as agar can itself lead to stable pattern formation over time scales that are employed in experiments. The underlying mechanism relies on path formation through physical deformation of the enclosing environment.
ISSN:2331-8422
DOI:10.48550/arxiv.1701.00194