On the stability of the cell size distribution (Q796472)

This paper is concerned with the following linear first order partial differential equation \[ (\partial n/\partial t)(t,x)+(\partial /\partial x)(g(x)n(t,x))=-\mu(x)n(t,x)-b(x)n(t,x)+4b(2x)n(t,2x) \] that models the growth of a size-dependent cell population with reproduction occurring by fission into two equal parts. The functions \(\mu\),b and g are the rates at which cells die, divide and grow. The authors reformulate the model as a linear evolution problem in a B- space and prove the existence and uniqueness of a solution. Then by using compactness arguments they establish the existence of a stable size distribution under the condition \(g(2x)<2g(x)\); they also investigate what happens when this condition is not satisfied.