Figure 2 | Scientific Reports

Figure 2

From: An agent-based approach for modelling and simulation of glycoprotein VI receptor diffusion, localisation and dimerisation in platelet lipid rafts

Figure 2

Overview of ABM simulation procedure. (A) The target system, i.e. the platelet membrane. The simplified version of a membrane consists of two areas, i.e. parts where molecules are confined in movements (confined domains), and the remaining part where they move freely (Brownian motion). In addition to inert proteins, the receptors of interest are indicated as transmembrane proteins. (B) Application of ABM to target receptor dimerisation. The membrane in the simulation box consists of agents (receptor molecules) in monomeric or dimeric forms and inert proteins. The confined domains are considered to represent lipid rafts. All agents are treated as independent, of which mathematical rules determine their properties and interactions. (C) Assignment of agent parameters. The simulation parameters included diffusivity, particle size and step size. (D) Rules for agent movements. Each simulation step consists of a randomly placed agent with random walk (rejected in case of overlapping), dimerisation and dissociation. Steps are repeated until all agents are selected, after which movements follow.

Back to article page