Simulation of aggregation in Dictyostelium using the Cell Programming Language.

In developmental biology, modeling and simulation play an important role in understanding cellular interactions. We suggest a simple language, the Cell Programming Language (CPL), to write computer programs to describe this behavior. Using these programs, it is possible to simulate and visualize intercellular behavior. We employ CPL to model aggregation in Dictyostelium in response to a chemotactic agent. CPL programs are utilized to model a variety of aggregation behavior including streaming, spiral formation and the effect of amoeba density on aggregation patterns. We believe CPL is a useful tool for developing, understanding and checking biological models that utilize cellular interactions.