Data accompanying "Shaping the Growth Behaviour of Biofilms Initiated from Bacterial Aggregates, 2013-2016" (Submitted paper).

1. Fig2.zip contains image files used to create Fig 2 of manuscript.
2. Fig3.zip contains all agent_State files for generating Fig 3 of manuscript.
3. Fig4.zip contains image files used to create Fig 4 of manuscript.
4. Fig5.zip contains nutrient concentration field data for the spread aggregate in the absence of competition along with corresponding agent_State files.
5. Fig6.zip contains all agent_State files used to create Fig 6.
6. Fig7_to_9.zip contains all agent_Sum files for all densities used to create figures 7 to 9.
7. SI_morphologies_different_concs_densities.zip contains all simulation output files used for Fig S4.
8. SI_high_conc_data.zip contains the final agent_Sum files from the high concentration runs for the spread and rounded aggregate used for Fig S7.
9. SI_3D_data_dens_0_03_aggregate_conf1.zip contains all simulations output from the aggregate simulations in 3D (section J of SI) at density 0.03 cells per micron squared for aggregate configuration 1.
10. SI_3D_data_dens_0_03_aggregate_conf2.zip contains all simulations output from the aggregate simulations in 3D (section J of SI) at density 0.03 cells per micron squared for aggregate configuration 2.
11. SI_3D_data_dens_0_03_aggregate_conf3.zip contains all simulations output from the aggregate simulations in 3D (section J of SI) at density 0.03 cells per micron squared for aggregate configuration 3.
12. SI_3D_data_dens_0_002_aggregate_conf1.zip contains all simulations output from the aggregate simulations in 3D (section J of SI) at density 0.002 cells per micron squared for aggregate configuration 1.
13. SI_3D_data_dens_0_002_aggregate_conf2.zip contains all simulations output from the aggregate simulations in 3D (section J of SI) at density 0.002 cells per micron squared for aggregate configuration 2.
14. SI_3D_data_dens_0_002_aggregate_conf3.zip contains all simulations output from the aggregate simulations in 3D (section J of SI) at density 0.002 cells per micron squared for aggregate configuration 3.

Bacterial biofilms are usually assumed to originate from individual cells deposited on a surface. However, many biofilm-forming bacteria tend to aggregate in the planktonic phase so that it is possible that many natural and infectious biofilms originate wholly or partially from pre-formed cell aggregates. Here, we use agent-based computer simulations to investigate the role of pre-formed aggregates in biofilm development. Focusing on the initial shape the aggregate forms on the surface, we find that the degree of spreading of an aggregate on a surface can play an important role in determining its eventual fate during biofilm development. Specifically, initially spread aggregates perform better when competition with surrounding unaggregated bacterial cells is low, while initially rounded aggregates perform better when competition with surrounding unaggregated cells is high. These contrasting outcomes are governed by a trade-off between aggregate surface area and height. Our results provide new insight into biofilm formation and development, and reveal new factors that may be at play in the social evolution of biofilm communities.

Melaugh, Gavin; Allen, Rosalind J. (2016). Data accompanying "Shaping the Growth Behaviour of Biofilms Initiated from Bacterial Aggregates, 2013-2016" (Submitted paper)., [dataset]. University of Edinburgh. School of Physics and Astronomy. http://dx.doi.org/10.7488/ds/1340.