Reaction-diffusion equations arise naturally when modelling multi-component systems of interacting populations. These equations are widely employed to describe pattern formation phenomena across various biological, chemical and physical processes. The kinetic theory of statical mechanics provides a powerful framework to describe different types of interactions at multiple spatial or temporal scales. Through appropriate hydrodynamic limits of the kinetic systems, macroscopic equations can be derived, describing observable quantities and explaining how macroscopic phenomena emerge from the underlying microscopic dynamics. In this talk, I will apply these tools to study the evolution and interactions of competing bacterial populations on a leaf surface. Specifically, I will consider self and cross diffusion effects and investigate Turing instability properties leading to the formation and persistence of stationary spatial patterns.

This work is a collaboration with D. Cusseddu (University of Minho), M. Bisi and R. Travaglini (University of Parma, Italy).