Faculty Sponsor
Alex Capaldi
College
Arts and Sciences
Discipline(s)
Mathematics
ORCID Identifier(s)
0000-0003-3400-3202
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Spring 5-3-2018
Abstract
Non-random mating in Arabidopsis Thaliana is, at least in part, due to intense competition between pollen grains to fertilize the limited number of ovules. Previous studies have pinpointed some of the competition traits that make pollen more or less competitive. Using these competition traits, we will build an agent-based computer model with NetLogo that simulates the competition between two accessions of Arabidopsis Thaliana pollen. This 2D model will allow the user to adjust pollen traits and competition strategies for each of the two pollen accessions. Some of the factors being considered include pollen viability, pollen tube growth rate, nutrients provided by the female, pollen tube attrition and the means of locating unfertilized ovules. To assess the competitiveness of the selected pollen traits, this model will track the number of fertilized ovules and maximum pollen tube length for each accession. This agent-based model will allow further study into the traits that make pollen most competitive as well as the strategies used by pollen to fertilize ovules. This model has the potential to quickly test a wide variety of competition traits and strategies without the need for in-lab experiments.
Recommended Citation
Bassett, Katherine, "Agent-Based Modeling of Pollen Competition" (2018). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 724.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/724
Biographical Information about Author(s)
I am currently a Sophomore Mechanical Engineering student with minors in Mathematics, Environmental Studies and Electrical/Computer Engineering. I first became involved with this research by taking a math class titled 'Plant Sex'. This math/bio class, revolved around the topic of pollen competition and modeling. I became fascinated with the idea of building computer models to learn about real world systems. At the end of the term, I joined the professors' research team.