Escherichia Coli simulation using the Dynamic Energy Budget theory applied on a multi-agent environment

Year:

2011

Phase:

Finished

Authors:

Sara Magalhães da Cruz

Advisors:

Abstract

Escherichia Coli is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, and one of the oldest microorganisms that maintains a symbiotic relation with Men. It is very commonly used in research and, therefore, it has been long-time established as a reference in microbiology studies. In this work, the results of a multi-agents simulation of E-coli, using the Dynamic Energy Budget theory, are presented, with the goal of reproducing the life cycle behaviors and movement patterns that characterize this bacterium. The work also includes an implementation of a set of mutations based on the alteration of simulation variables and DEB parameters. The ION Framework was used as a development tool in order to generate the bacterial environment and the corresponding interaction protocols with the agents. The aim of this implementation is to test the possibility of using the DEB theory applied in a multi-agent scenario to obtain realistic results comparable with previously reported experimental investigation.