Computer model for glucose-limited growth of a single cell of Escherichia coli B/r-A (Reprinted from Biotechnology and Bioengineering, vol 26, pg 203-216, 1984)

A computer model is described which is capable of predicting changes in cel l composition, cell size, cell shape, and the timing of chromosome synthesi s in response to changes in external glucose limitation. The model is const ructed primarily from information on unrestricted growth in glucose minimal medium. The ability of the model to make reasonable quantitative predictio ns under glucose-limitation is a test of the plausibility of the basic bioc hemical mechanisms included in the model. Such a model should be of use in differentiating among competing hypotheses for biological mechanisms and in suggesting as yet unobserved phenomena. The last two points are illustrate d with the testing of a mechanism for the control of the initiation of DNA synthesis and predictions on cell-width variations during the division cycl e.