We develop two models for Myxobacteria swarming, a modified Lattice Gas Cellular Automata (LGCA) model and an off-lattice CA model In the LGCA model each cell is represented by one node for the center of mass and an extended rod-shaped cell profile Cells check the surrounding area and choose in which direction to move based on the local interactions Using this model, we obtained a density vs expansion rate curve with the shape similar to the experimental curve for the wild type Myxobacteria In the off-lattice model, each cell is represented by a string of nodes Cells can bend and move freely in the two-dimensional space We use a phenomenological algorithm to determine the moving direction of cells guided by slime trail; the model allows for cell bending and alignment during collisions In the swarming simulations for A+S- Myxobacteria, we demonstrate the formation of peninsula structures, in agreement with experiments.
['Yilin Wu', 'Nan Chen', 'Matthew Rissler', 'Yi Jiang', 'Dale Kaiser', 'Mark S. Alber']
CA models of myxobacteria swarming