Dynamic modeling of microbial cell populations

Microbial cultures are comprised of heterogeneous cells that differ according to their size and intracellular concentrations of DNA, proteins and other constituents. Recent advances have been made in cell population modeling, which allow the effects of cell heterogeneity on culture dynamics and metabolite production to be predicted. If the intracellular state can be captured with a few variables, the population balance equation framework is a viable modeling approach. The cell ensemble modeling technique is better suited for the development of population models that include more detailed descriptions of cellular metabolism and/or cell-cycle progression.