biostudies-literatureTrivedi RRNIAID NIH HHSNCI NIH HHS8404-8https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8968338biostudies-literatureUnknown11(43)We describe the controlled transport and delivery of non-motile eukaryotic cells and polymer microparticles by swimming bacteria suspended in nematic liquid crystals. The bacteria push reversibly attached cargo in a stable, unidirectional path (or along a complex patterned director field) over exceptionally long distances. Numerical simulations and analytical predictions for swimming speeds provide a mechanistic insight into the hydrodynamics of the system. This study lays the foundation for using cargo-carrying bacteria in engineering applications and for understanding interspecies interactions in polymicrobial communities.Soft matterBacterial transport of colloids in liquid crystalline environments.PMC8968338R01 CA108467AI092004CA108467R21 AI092004Weibel DBMaeda RAbbott NLSpagnolie SETrivedi RRfalseBacterial transport of colloids in liquid crystalline environments.We describe the controlled transport and delivery of non-motile eukaryotic cells and polymer microparticles by swimming bacteria suspended in nematic liquid crystals. The bacteria push reversibly attached cargo in a stable, unidirectional path (or along a complex patterned director field) over exceptionally long distances. Numerical simulations and analytical predictions for swimming speeds provide a mechanistic insight into the hydrodynamics of the system. This study lays the foundation for using cargo-carrying bacteria in engineering applications and for understanding interspecies interactions in polymicrobial communities.2015-01-01T00:00:00Z2015 Nov2025-04-19T00:41:22.831Z2025-04-07T11:45:24.936ZS-EPMC89683382638215310.1039/c5sm02041g