A Simple Model of Cell Proliferation of Bacteria Using Min Oscillation

A mathematical model of Min oscillation in Escherichia coli is numerically studied. The oscillatory state and hysteretic transition are explained with simpler coupled differential equations. Next, we propose a simple model of cell growth and division using the Min oscillation. The cell cycle is not constant but exhibits fluctuation in the deterministic model. Finally, we perform direct numerical simulation of cell assemblies composed of many cells obeying the simple growth and division model. As the cell number increases with time, the spatial distribution of cell assembly becomes more circular, although the cells are aligned almost in the x-direction.