A Model of Dictyostelium discoideum Aggregation

Abstract The aggregation process in populations of Dictyostelium discoideum is mediated by cell communication through cyclic AMP (cAMP) signals and the chemotactic response of the cells to concentration gradients of cAMP. In the present paper several simple algorithms that describe cell behavior are used to create a model that correctly predicts the aggregation patterns of the cells. The formation of the aggregative structures with a definite geometrical characteristics can be studied by using the model.