Network patterns in exponentially growing two-dimensional biofilms

Cameron Zachreson, Xinhui Yap, Erin S. Gloag, Raz Shimoni, Cynthia B. Whitchurch, and Milos Toth
Phys. Rev. E 96, 042401 – Published 4 October 2017
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Abstract

Anisotropic collective patterns occur frequently in the morphogenesis of two-dimensional biofilms. These patterns are often attributed to growth regulation mechanisms and differentiation based on gradients of diffusing nutrients and signaling 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.

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  • Received 12 December 2016
  • Revised 19 September 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.96.042401

©2017 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Polymers & Soft MatterPhysics of Living SystemsInterdisciplinary Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Cameron Zachreson1,*, Xinhui Yap2, Erin S. Gloag2,3, Raz Shimoni2, Cynthia B. Whitchurch2, and Milos Toth1

  • 1School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia
  • 2The ithree institute, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia
  • 3Center for Microbial Interface Biology, Ohio State University, 460 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA

  • *cameron.zachreson@uts.edu.au

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Issue

Vol. 96, Iss. 4 — October 2017

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