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Optimal allocation of building blocks between nutrient uptake systems in a microbe
Hugo A van den Berg1, Yuri N Kiselev, Michael V Orlov
1Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom. hugo@maths.warwick.ac.uk
Journal of Mathematical Biology
|August 1, 2002
Summary
Microbial growth depends on efficiently allocating resources to nutrient uptake systems. This study proves an optimal strategy for bacterial resource allocation, showing a feedback system monitoring internal reserves rapidly achieves balanced growth.
Area of Science:
- Microbial Physiology
- Biochemical Engineering
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Bacteria must balance resource allocation for nutrient uptake to maximize growth rate.
- Environmental nutrient availability dictates optimal resource distribution strategies for microbes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To mathematically prove the optimal allocation of molecular building blocks for microbial growth.
- To identify and evaluate potential control regimes for resource allocation in bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Developed a simple model of microbial growth and internal stores kinetics.
- Provided a rigorous mathematical proof for the optimality and uniqueness of the allocation regime.
- Analyzed candidate control regimes for a more complex model, focusing on internal reserve monitoring.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a unique and optimal allocation strategy for bacterial building blocks.
- Identified three candidate control regimes, differing in information requirements.
- Showed that a feedback control system monitoring internal reserve densities rapidly achieves balanced growth.
Conclusions:
- Optimal bacterial growth requires dynamic adjustment of resource allocation to nutrient availability.
- A feedback control system based on internal reserve densities is an effective strategy for achieving balanced microbial growth.