COMPUTER-SIMULATIONS OF BACTERIAL-COLONY FORMATION

We present a novel computer simulation of bacterial-colony growth. The ingredients of the simulation are two local conditions: multiplicatio n rate of bacteria in the interface, depending on agar concentration a nd agar plate moisture, and occupation rate of the sites of the cluste r inside a small circle around the potential growth site, representing the nutrient concentration. Varying growth conditions, fractal, dense -branching morphology and compact growth patterns have, been observed, which is consistent with the experimental demonstrations.