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The Influence of Fluid Flow on Modeling Quorum Sensing in Bacterial Biofilms

Bulletin of Mathematical Biology volume 72, pages 1143–1165 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

In this paper, we study quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Quorum sensing is a process where bacteria monitor their population density through the release of extra-cellular signalling molecules. The presence of these molecules affects gene modulation leading to changes in behaviour such as the release of virulence factors. Here, we use numerical methods to approximate a 2-D model of quorum sensing. It is observed that the shape of the biofilm can have a profound effect on the onset of quorum sensing. This has serious repercussions for experimental observations since biofilms of the same biomass but different shapes can produce quite different results.

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Affiliations

  1. Centre for Mathematical Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    Benjamin L. Vaughan Jr.

  2. ESAM, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Bryan G. Smith & David L. Chopp

Authors
  1. Benjamin L. Vaughan Jr.
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  2. Bryan G. Smith
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  3. David L. Chopp
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Correspondence to Benjamin L. Vaughan Jr..

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Vaughan, B.L., Smith, B.G. & Chopp, D.L. The Influence of Fluid Flow on Modeling Quorum Sensing in Bacterial Biofilms. Bull. Math. Biol. 72, 1143–1165 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11538-009-9485-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11538-009-9485-8

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms
  • Quorum sensing