A first approach to individual-based modeling of the bacterial conjugation dynamics

Abstract

This work presents a spatially explicit individual-based model of bacterial conjugation using use a discrete representation of time and space. The space is defined by a discrete grid where agents are place and evolve through their local interactions. Each agent is described by a state vector updated according the model rules which takes into account the local agent state and the states of close neighbor agents located at adjacent cells. The rules for updating the states of each individual represent metabolic processes such as nutrient uptake, growth, reproduction and conjugation of each bacterial cell in the colony. It also takes into account also non-metabolic processes such as nutrient diffusion.