Self-buckling and self-writhing of semi-flexible microorganisms
Literature Information
Wilson Lough, Douglas B. Weibel
The twisting and writhing of a cell body and associated mechanical stresses is an underappreciated constraint on microbial self-propulsion. Multi-flagellated bacteria can even buckle and writhe under their own activity as they swim through a viscous fluid. New equilibrium configurations and steady-state dynamics then emerge which depend on the organism's mechanical properties and on the oriented distribution of flagella along its surface. Modeling the cell body as a semi-flexible Kirchhoff rod and coupling the mechanics to a flagellar orientation field, we derive the Euler–Poincaré equations governing the dynamics of the system, and rationalize experimental observations of buckling and writhing of elongated swarmer cells of the bacterium Proteus mirabilis. A sequence of bifurcations is identified as the body is made more compliant, due to both buckling and torsional instabilities. These studies highlight a practical requirement for the stiffness of bacteria below which self-buckling occurs and cell motility becomes ineffective.
Related Literature
IF 6.222
Life cycle assessment of plasma-assisted ethylene production from rich-in-methane gas streamsIF 6.367
Synthesis of aviation fuel from bio-derived isophoroneIF 6.367
Electrocatalytic cleavage of lignin model dimers using ruthenium supported on activated carbon clothIF 6.367
Catalytic depolymerization of Kraft lignin to produce liquid fuels via Ni–Sn metal oxide catalystsIF 6.367
Stabilizing synthetic DNA for long-term data storage with earth alkaline saltsIF 6.222
PEST (political, environmental, social & technical) analysis of the development of the waste-to-energy anaerobic digestion industry in China as a representative for developing countriesIF 6.367
Strong circularly polarized luminescence of an octahedral chromium(iii) complexIF 6.222
Permselective ion electrosorption of subnanometer pores at high molar strength enables capacitive deionization of saline waterIF 6.367
Highly efficient and durable III–V semiconductor-catalyst photocathodes via a transparent protection layerIF 6.367
Source Journal
Soft Matter
Soft Matter provides a unique forum for the communication of significant advances in interdisciplinary soft matter research. There is a particular focus on the interface between chemistry, physics, materials science, biology and chemical engineering. Research may report new soft materials or phenomena, encompass their design, synthesis, and use in new applications; or provide fundamental insight and observations on their behaviour. Experimental, theoretical and computational soft matter approaches are encouraged. The scope of Soft Matter covers the following. Soft matter assemblies, including colloids, granular matter, liquid crystals, gels & networks, polymers, hybrid materials, active matter and further examples Soft nanotechnology, soft robotics and devices Synthesis, self-assembly and directed assembly Biological aspects of soft matter including proteins, biopolymers, cells and tissues Surfaces, interfaces and interactions Phase behaviour, coacervation and rheological behaviour Sustainable soft materials including recycling, circular economy and end of life Mechanistic insights and modelling
Recommended Compounds
![56843-76-6 - 2-phenylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-ol](/structs/568/56843-76-6-0035.webp "56843-76-6 - 2-phenylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-ol")
Recommended Suppliers
OÜ TorroSen
Dongguan Hui Xin Innovative Material Technology Co., Ltd.
Gases Industriales De Colombia SA (CRYOGAS)
AJAY NORTH AMERICA, L.L.C.Dongguan Koryada Chemical Technology Co., Ltd.Hubei Qiangxing Chemical Co., Ltd.
Tenysol S.L.Zibo Jujin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.Shenzhen Youshou Biology Technology Co., Ltd. Huangshi BranchLiaoning Huaxing Corporation Limited