Chemomodulation of cellular movement, collective formation of vortices by swarming bacteria, and colonial development

Eshel Ben-Jacob*, Inon Cohen, András Czirók, Tamás Vicsek, David L. Gutnick

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

75 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bacterial colonies have developed sophisticated modes of cooperative behavior which enable them to respond to adverse growth conditions. It has been shown that such behavior can be manifested in formation of complex colonial patterns. Certain Bacillus species exhibit collective migration, "turbulent like" flow and emergence of whirlpools during colonial development. Here we present experimental observations of collective behavior and a generic model to explain such behavior. The model incorporates self-propelled and interacting "particles" (swarmers). We show that velocity interaction between the particles can lead to a synchronized movement. To explain vortices formation, we propose a plausible mechanism involving a special chemotactic response (rotational chemotaxis) which is based on speed modulations according to the concentration of a chemoattractant. This mechanism differs from that exhibited by swimming bacteria. We show that the chemomodulation of swarmers' speed together with the velocity interactions impose a torque on the collective motion and can lead to formation of vortices. The inclusion of both attractive and repulsive rotational chemotaxis in the model captures the salient features of the observed growth patterns.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)181-197
Number of pages17
JournalPhysica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications
Volume238
Issue number1-4
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Apr 1997

Funding

FundersFunder number
GermanIs raelf oundatioGn
IF090102a
Israeli Academyo f Science5 93-95a nd grantT 019299o f the HungarianS cienceF oundationScience5 93-95a, 019299o
Israel InstituteSF 92-00051
Hungarian Scientific Research Fund

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Chemomodulation of cellular movement, collective formation of vortices by swarming bacteria, and colonial development'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this