An explanatory model to validate the way water activity rules periodic terrace generation in Proteus mirabilis swarm

Emmanuel Frenod (1, 2) , Olivier Sire (3)

1 Lab-STICC - Laboratoire des sciences et techniques de l'information, de la communication et de la connaissance (UMR 3192)
2 LEMEL - Laboratoire d'Etude et Modélisation des Environnements littoraux
3 LIMATB - Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Matériaux de Bretagne

In this paper we explain the biophysical principles which, according to us, govern the Proteus mirabilis swarm phenomenon. Then, we translate this explanation into a mathematical model, essentially based on partial differential equations. This model is then implemented using numerical methods of the finite volume type in order to make simulations. The simulations show most of the characteristics which are observed in situ and in particular the terrace generation.

Mots clés: Proteus mirabilis swarm; modelling; partial differential equations; finite volumes.; finite volumes

Domaines: Modélisation et simulation; Equations aux dérivées partielles [math.AP]; Bio-Informatique, Biologie Systémique [q-bio.QM]; Bio-informatique [q-bio.QM]; Biophysique

Emmanuel Frenod, Olivier Sire. An explanatory model to validate the way water activity rules periodic terrace generation in Proteus mirabilis swarm. Journal of Mathematical Biology, 2009, 59 (4), pp.439--466. ⟨10.1007/s00285-008-0235-6⟩. ⟨hal-00200136v2⟩