Pirouette Model Simulation
Objective: Test the sufficiency of the pirouette model for chemotaxis by imposing correlation between pirouettes and concentration gradient change in a stochastic point model simulation
Protocol Steps
Establish pirouette-concentration gradient correlation
Impose correlation between pirouettes and rate of change of concentration (dC/dt) on the stochastic point model based on empirical observations that pirouettes initiate when worms head down gradient and are least likely when heading up gradient
Note: Correlation based on finding that pirouette initiation was correlated with dC/dt but not with absolute concentration
View evidence from paper
“We tested this idea by imposing the correlation between pirouettes and dC/dt on a stochastic point model of worm motion”
Test model in radial gradient
Run the stochastic point model simulation in a radial concentration gradient to assess whether the model exhibits chemotaxis behavior
Note: Radial gradient represents a standard chemotaxis condition
View evidence from paper
“The model exhibited chemotaxis behavior in a radial gradient and also in a novel planar gradient”
Test model in planar gradient
Run the stochastic point model simulation in a novel planar concentration gradient to test generality of the pirouette model
Note: Planar gradient represents a novel condition not previously tested
View evidence from paper
“The model exhibited chemotaxis behavior in a radial gradient and also in a novel planar gradient”
Analyze chemotaxis behavior
Evaluate whether the model exhibits chemotaxis behavior in both gradient conditions to determine if the pirouette model is sufficient and general
Note: Success criteria: model must exhibit chemotaxis in both radial and planar gradients
View evidence from paper
“Thus, the pirouette model of C. elegans chemotaxis is sufficient and general”