DIMACS Seminar Series


Title: Dynamics of mixed microbial growth: Stability of a structured model

Speaker: Sergei Pilyugin, University of Florida

Date: Tuesday, April 27, 2004, 3:00 pm

Location: DIMACS Center, CoRE Bldg, Room 431, Rutgers University, Busch Campus, Piscataway, NJ


Abstract:

In this talk, I will discuss our recent progress on the stability of a structured model for two microbial species competing for two substitutable substrates. The structure is introduced into the model by explicitly considering the dynamics of the peripheral enzyme system that governs the substrate uptake.

I will introduce the notions of the consumption curve, the growth isoclines, the coexistence envelope and show how these concepts determine the outcome of competition. I will also discuss how the interactions between the enzyme complexes affect the stability of the culture. Finally, I will discuss how these theoretical concepts can be used to provide connection between theory and experiments.