In silico studies of bacterial quorum sensing during population dynamics: simulations by using COMSOL Multiphysics

Abstract

In the present study, computing techniques are designated and employed in order to analyze “quorum sensing” as a special case of cell-to-cell bacterial communication attributed to the Pseudomonas bacterial genus. One of the challenges consists in predicting the concentration of key substances characterizing the “quorum level” during bacterial population dynamics. To estimate relevant characteristics of bacterial communication, we applied a deterministic approach. The mathematical model is formalized as an initial-boundary value problem for a system of semilinear partial differential equations supplemented by the procedure to specify the multiphase dynamics of bacterial populations. The finite element solution of the problem is obtained by COMSOL Multiphysics. The comparative numerical analysis for various types of space approximation of bacterial density is performed. A series of computational experiments were conducted to estimate changes in concentrations of chemical compounds during the Pseudomonas putida population dynamics.