A dissipative particle dynamics model of biofilm growth

TL;DR

This paper presents a DPD model for simulating biofilm growth, capturing effects of substrate transport, fluid flow, and biofilm mechanics to predict biofilm morphology and dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive DPD-based simulation framework that accounts for nutrient consumption, hydrodynamics, and biofilm mechanical properties, advancing biofilm modeling capabilities.

Findings

Biofilm morphology depends on fluid flow and biofilm rigidity.

The model predicts biomass growth, decay, and spreading.

Biofilm shape is influenced by mechanical and flow conditions.

Abstract

A dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) model for the quantitative simulation of biofilm growth controlled by substrate (nutrient) consumption, advective and diffusive substrate transport, and hydrodynamic interactions with fluid flow (including fragmentation and reattachment) is described. The model was used to simulate biomass growth, decay, and spreading. It predicts how the biofilm morphology depends on flow conditions, biofilm growth kinetics, the rheomechanical properties of the biofilm and adhesion to solid surfaces. The morphology of the model biofilm depends strongly on its rigidity and the magnitude of the body force that drives the fluid over the biofilm.