Multiple asymptotics of Kinetic Equations with Internal States

Abstract

The run and tumble process is well established in order to describe the movement of bacteria in response to a chemical stimulus. However the relation between the tumbling rate and the internal state of bacteria is poorly understood. The present study aims at deriving models at the macroscopic scale from assumptions on the microscopic scales. In particular we are interested in comparisons between the stiffness of the response and the adaptation time. Depending on the asymptotics chosen both the standard Keller-Segel equation and the flux-limited Keller-Segel (FLKS) equation can appear. An interesting mathematical issue arises with a new type of equilibrium equation leading to solution with singularities.