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High-resolution spatio-temporal modeling of root-associated microbial communities


EMSL Project ID
51933

Abstract

The goals of the proposed project is to implement high-resolution simulations of synthetic microbial ecosystems around the roots of plants. Towards this goal, we will use our platform for Computation of Microbial Ecosystem in Time and Space (COMETS, http://runcomets.org). COMETS combines a dynamic version of FBA (dFBA) with convection-diffusion equations to enable predictions of community dynamics on a grid. COMETS can accommodate complex boundary conditions to simulate root structure and metabolite exudation. However, high resolution 3D simulations of COMETS dynamics for many species would be infeasible on regular computers and small clusters. We envisage that by running COMETS simulations of rhizosphere communities on Tahoma, we will be able to obtain unprecedented insight and testable predictions, paving the way for a new generation of multiscale models of plant-microbe-environment interactions and dynamics.

Project Details

Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2021-10-01
End Date
2023-12-31
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Daniel Segre
Institution
Boston University

Co-Investigator(s)

Melisa Osborne
Institution
Boston University

Ilija Dukovski
Institution
Boston University

Team Members

Rowan Nelson
Institution
Boston University