Journal Article

FZJ-2015-03232

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Physical Sensing of Surface Properties by Microswimmers - Directing Bacterial Motion via Wall Slip

Hu, J.FZJ* ; Wysocki, A.FZJ* ; Winkler, R. G.FZJ* ; Gompper, G. (Corresponding Author)FZJ*

2015
Nature Publishing Group London

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/8635  doi:10.1038/srep09586

Abstract: Bacteria such as Escherichia coli swim along circular trajectories adjacent to surfaces. Thereby, the orientation (clockwise, counterclockwise) and the curvature depend on the surface properties. We employ mesoscale hydrodynamic simulations of a mechano-elastic model of E. coli, with a spherocylindrical body propelled by a bundle of rotating helical flagella, to study quantitatively the curvature of the appearing circular trajectories. We demonstrate that the cell is sensitive to nanoscale changes in the surface slip length. The results are employed to propose a novel approach to directing bacterial motion on striped surfaces with different slip lengths, which implies a transformation of the circular motion into a snaking motion along the stripe boundaries. The feasibility of this approach is demonstrated by a simulation of active Brownian rods, which also reveals a dependence of directional motion on the stripe width.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Theorie der Weichen Materie und Biophysik (IAS-2)
2. Theorie der Weichen Materie und Biophysik (ICS-2)

Research Program(s):

1. 553 - Physical Basis of Diseases (POF3-553) (POF3-553)

Appears in the scientific report 2015

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Database coverage:
; ; ; ; BIOSIS Previews ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; NCBI Molecular Biology Database ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Thomson Reuters Master Journal List ; Web of Science Core Collection ; Zoological Record

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