Using Game Theory for Real-Time Behavioural Dynamics in Microscopic Populations with Noisy Signalling

TL;DR

This paper applies game theory to model and analyze noisy real-time signalling and behavioural dynamics in microscopic populations like bacteria and cells, bridging molecular communication and microscopic game theory.

Contribution

It introduces a novel integration of molecular communication and game theory to understand and control behaviors in noisy microscopic populations.

Findings

Potential games effectively model bacterial quorum sensing.

Noisy signalling influences resource sharing behaviors.

The approach offers insights into controlling microscopic population dynamics.

Abstract

This paper introduces the application of game theory to understand noisy real-time signalling and the resulting behavioural dynamics in microscopic populations such as bacteria and other cells. It presents a bridge between the fields of molecular communication and microscopic game theory. Molecular communication uses conventional communication engineering theory and techniques to study and design systems that use chemical molecules as information carriers. Microscopic game theory models interactions within and between populations of cells and microorganisms. Integrating these two fields provides unique opportunities to understand and control microscopic populations that have imperfect signal propagation. Two examples, namely bacteria quorum sensing and tumour cell signalling, are presented with potential games to demonstrate the application of this approach. Finally, a case study of bacteria resource sharing demonstrates how noisy signalling can alter the distribution of behaviour.