Ciliary contact interactions dominate surface scattering of swimming eukaryotes.

ABSTRACT: Interactions between swimming cells and surfaces are essential to many microbiological processes, from bacterial biofilm formation to human fertilization. However, despite their fundamental importance, relatively little is known about the physical mechanisms that govern the scattering of flagellated or ciliated cells from solid surfaces. A more detailed understanding of these interactions promises not only new biological insights into structure and dynamics of flagella and cilia but may also lead to new microfluidic techniques for controlling cell motility and microbial locomotion, with potential applications ranging from diagnostic tools to therapeutic protein synthesis and photosynthetic biofuel production. Due to fundamental differences in physiology and swimming strategies, it is an op

SUBMITTER: Kantsler V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3557090 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature