EECS Publication
An Example Model of Self-Organized Aggregation and Protective Differentiation of Simple Autonomous Agents
Bruce J. MacLennan
We describe experiments with simple bacteria-like agents that, when distressed, will self-organize into compact colonies with a protective cyst enclosing dormant bacteria; when favorable conditions return, the agents break out of their spore-like clusters and resume normal behavior. The population can be cycled between these two states any number of times. We define a simulated regulatory network governing this self-organizing behavior and explore the effects of its parameters. In particular, self-organization is regulated by the diffusion of three different chemicals, for aggregation, for differentiation of dormant and cyst bacteria, and for synchronization of spore formation. Although intended as an exploration of the principles of self-organization rather than as a model of any particular organism, the mechanisms and behavior are suggestive of quorum testing and biofilm formation by real bacteria.
Published 2004-03-01 05:00:00 as ut-cs-04-523 (ID:184)