Self-similar colony morphogenesis by gram-negative rods as the experimental model of fractal growth by a cell population.
The ability to form a fractal colony was shown to be common among several species of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Bacterial spreading growth in a two-dimensional field of nutrient concentration was indicated to be important for this experimental self-similar morphogenesis. As a basic analogy, the diffusion-limited aggregation model was suggested. Fractal dimensions of colonies were mostly in the range of values from 1.7 to 1.8, similar to those of the two-dimensional diffusion-limited aggregation model. Bacterial characteristics and culture conditions inducing changes in fractal patterns and growth rates were identified. The contribution of the bacterial multicellular nature to fractal morphogenesis is discussed.
Matsuyama
T
T
Department of Bacteriology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Japan.
Matsushita
M
M
D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009024:Morphogenesis
D005947:Glucose