Models of aggregation in Dictyostelium discoideum: On the track of spiral waves

Abstract

This work is concerned with some aspects of the social life of the amoebae Dictyostelium discoideum (Dd). In particular, we shall focus on the early stages of the starvation-induced aggregation of Dd cells. Under such circumstances, amoebae are known to exchange a chemical messenger (cAMP) which acts as a signal to mediate their individual behaviour. This molecule is released from aggregation centres and advances through aggregation fields, first as circular waves and later on as spiral patterns. We shall recall below some of the basic features of this process, paying attention to the mathematical models that have been derived to account for experimental observations.