Biomaterial Database

Lattice-Boltzmann model for bacterial chemotaxis. 2005

Markus Hilpert

Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 313 Ames Hall, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

We present a new numerical approach for modeling bacterial chemotaxis and the fate and transport of a chemoattractant in bulk liquids. This Lattice-Boltzmann method represents the microorganisms and the chemoattractant by quasi-particles that move, collide, and react with each other on a two-dimensional numerical lattice. We use the model to simulate traveling bands of bacteria along self-generated gradients in substrate concentration in bulk liquids. Particularly, we simulate Pseudomonas putida that respond chemotactically to naphthalene dissolved in water. We find that only a fraction of a bacterial slug injected into a domain containing the chemoattractant at constant concentration forms a traveling band as the slug length exceeds a critical value. An expanding bacterial ring forms as one injects a droplet of bacteria into a two-dimensional domain.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D009281	Naphthalenes	Two-ring crystalline hydrocarbons isolated from coal tar. They are used as intermediates in chemical synthesis, as insect repellents, fungicides, lubricants, preservatives, and, formerly, as topical antiseptics.
D009716	Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted	Computer-assisted study of methods for obtaining useful quantitative solutions to problems that have been expressed mathematically.	Analysis, Computer-Assisted Numerical,Computer-Assisted Numerical Analysis,Analyses, Computer-Assisted Numerical,Analysis, Computer Assisted Numerical,Computer Assisted Numerical Analysis,Computer-Assisted Numerical Analyses,Numerical Analyses, Computer-Assisted,Numerical Analysis, Computer Assisted
D002630	Chemotactic Factors	Chemical substances that attract or repel cells. The concept denotes especially those factors released as a result of tissue injury, microbial invasion, or immunologic activity, that attract LEUKOCYTES; MACROPHAGES; or other cells to the site of infection or insult.	Chemoattractant,Chemotactic Factor,Chemotaxin,Chemotaxins,Cytotaxinogens,Cytotaxins,Macrophage Chemotactic Factor,Chemoattractants,Chemotactic Factors, Macrophage,Macrophage Chemotactic Factors,Chemotactic Factor, Macrophage,Factor, Chemotactic,Factor, Macrophage Chemotactic
D002633	Chemotaxis	The movement of cells or organisms toward or away from a substance in response to its concentration gradient.	Haptotaxis
D003198	Computer Simulation	Computer-based representation of physical systems and phenomena such as chemical processes.	Computational Modeling,Computational Modelling,Computer Models,In silico Modeling,In silico Models,In silico Simulation,Models, Computer,Computerized Models,Computer Model,Computer Simulations,Computerized Model,In silico Model,Model, Computer,Model, Computerized,Model, In silico,Modeling, Computational,Modeling, In silico,Modelling, Computational,Simulation, Computer,Simulation, In silico,Simulations, Computer
D016958	Pseudomonas putida	A species of gram-negative, aerobic bacteria isolated from soil and water as well as clinical specimens. Occasionally it is an opportunistic pathogen.