Fig. 4

Network architecture for the microbiotas (median) level. Two main places describe two conditions each bacterial cell can assume: a state of non-resistance (green) and a state of resistance (red), respectively (c). Horizontal transfer mechanisms can turn non-resistant cells into resistant ones (g). Network structures managing the generation of new bacterial cells (d), total population numerosity and resources availability (e) give rise to a competitive population dynamics between resistant and non-resistant populations. Dose-dependent depletion of non-resistant cells following antibiotic administration (b) and microbiota reintegration (f) events activate as synchronous channels with structures in Fig. 3b. The structure in a dynamically computes the point prevalence score of the microbiota network, making the information available for the upper level through a synchronous channel (see Fig. 3d)