A Probabilistic Model for Crystal Growth Applied to Protein Deposition at the Microscale

A probabilistic discrete model for 2D protein crystal growth is presented. This model takes into account the available space and can describe growing processes of a different nature due to the versatility of its parameters, which gives the model great flexibility. The accuracy of the simulation is tested against a real recrystallization experiment, carried out with the bacterial protein SbpA from Lysinibacillus sphaericus CCM2177, showing high agreement between the proposed model and the actual images of the crystal growth. Finally, it is also discussed how the regularity of the interface (i.e., the curve that separates the crystal from the substrate) affects the evolution of the simulation.