Is it selfish to be filamentous in biofilms? Individual-based modeling links microbial growth strategies with morphology using the new and modular iDynoMiCS 2.0
Fig 2
Different agent shapes in iDynoMiCS 2.0.
Dashed lines indicate sphere-swept volumes of ‘dots’ or line-segments. Dots are mass-points indicating position and orientation of agents. Solid lines indicate mechanical interactions between points (forces between points modeled as springs): Collision interaction (b-c), spine interaction responsible for the rigidity of rod-shaped agents (d1-2 and e1-2), connecting interactions (d2-e1, e2-f, f-g). α is the angle between two elements of a filament. This angle can be counteracted by a torsion spring applying forces on d1, d2 and e1. L1 and L2 are the moment arms. The torsion spring applies force until the angle α reaches 180°, aligning the three points.