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Physical constraints of small-scale motility in fluids

Eric LaugaAssistant ProfessorMechanical/Aerospace EngineeringUniversity of California, San DiegoABSTRACT:
Hydrodynamics plays a crucial role in many cellular processes. One example is the locomotion of cells such as bacteria, spermatozoa, and essentially half of the microorganisms on earth. These organisms typically possess flagella, slender whiplike appendages which are actuated in a periodic fashion in a fluid environment, thereby giving rise to propulsion. Motivated by recent experimental data, we consider in this talk three problems on the nonlinear hydrodynamics of swimming cells. We first address the observed flagellar synchronization between eukaryotic cells swimming in close proximity. We then discuss the locomotion of cells in complex (polymeric) fluids. We finally explain why cells swimming in confined environments are attracted to nearby boundaries.

Location: Seaver Science Library, Rm 150

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: April Mundy