1
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Heinen L, Groh S, Dzubiella J. Tuning nonequilibrium colloidal structure in external fields by density-dependent state switching. Phys Rev E 2024; 110:024604. [PMID: 39294997 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.110.024604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024]
Abstract
Biological cells have the ability to switch internal states depending on the density of other cells in their local environment, referred to as "quorum sensing." The latter can be utilized to control collective structuring, such as in biofilm formation. In this work, we study a simple quorum sensing model of ideal (noninteracting) colloids with a switchable internal degree of freedom in the presence of external potentials. The colloids have two possible discrete states, in which they are affected differently by the external field, and switch with rates dependent on the local density in their environment. We study this model with reactive Brownian dynamics simulations, as well as with an appropriate reaction-diffusion theory. We find remarkable structuring in the system controlled by the density-mediated interactions between the ideal colloids. We report results of different functional forms for the rate dependence and quantify the influence of their parameters, in particular, discuss the role of the spatiotemporal sensing range, i.e., how the resulting structures depend on how the environmental information is "measured" by the colloids. Especially in the case of a rate function with sigmoidal dependence on local density, i.e., requiring a threshold density for switching, we observe significant correlation effects in the density profiles which are tuneable by the sensing ranges but also sensitive to noise and fluctuations. Hence, our model gives some basic insights into the nonequilibrium structuring mediated by simple quorum sensing protocols.
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2
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Chan CW, Yang Z, Gan Z, Zhang R. Interplay of chemotactic force, Péclet number, and dimensionality dictates the dynamics of auto-chemotactic chiral active droplets. J Chem Phys 2024; 161:014904. [PMID: 38953449 DOI: 10.1063/5.0207355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
In living and synthetic active matter systems, the constituents can self-propel and interact with each other and with the environment through various physicochemical mechanisms. Among these mechanisms, chemotactic and auto-chemotactic effects are widely observed. The impact of (auto-)chemotactic effects on achiral active matter has been a recent research focus. However, the influence of these effects on chiral active matter remains elusive. Here, we develop a Brownian dynamics model coupled with a diffusion equation to examine the dynamics of auto-chemotactic chiral active droplets in both quasi-two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) systems. By quantifying the droplet trajectory as a function of the dimensionless Péclet number and chemotactic strength, our simulations well reproduce the curling and helical trajectories of nematic droplets in a surfactant-rich solution reported by Krüger et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 048003 (2016)]. The modeled curling trajectory in 2D exhibits an emergent chirality, also consistent with the experiment. We further show that the geometry of the chiral droplet trajectories, characterized by the pitch and diameter, can be used to infer the velocities of the droplet. Interestingly, we find that, unlike the achiral case, the velocities of chiral active droplets show dimensionality dependence: its mean instantaneous velocity is higher in 3D than in 2D, whereas its mean migration velocity is lower in 3D than in 2D. Taken together, our particle-based simulations provide new insights into the dynamics of auto-chemotactic chiral active droplets, reveal the effects of dimensionality, and pave the way toward their applications, such as drug delivery, sensors, and micro-reactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung Wing Chan
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
- Thrust of Advanced Materials, and Guangzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Materials Informatics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Guangdong, China
| | - Zheng Yang
- Thrust of Advanced Materials, and Guangzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Materials Informatics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Guangdong, China
- Interdisciplinary Programs Office, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Zecheng Gan
- Thrust of Advanced Materials, and Guangzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Materials Informatics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Guangdong, China
- Department of Mathematics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
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3
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Chen J, Hu J, Kapral R. Chemical Logic Gates on Active Colloids. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2305695. [PMID: 38450886 PMCID: PMC11095161 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that active colloidal motors using enzymatic reactions for propulsion hold special promise for applications in fields ranging from biology to material science. It will be desirable to have active colloids with capability of computation so that they can act autonomously to sense their surroundings and alter their own dynamics. It is shown how small chemical networks that make use of enzymatic chemical reactions on the colloid surface can be used to construct motor-based chemical logic gates. The basic features of coupled enzymatic reactions that are responsible for propulsion and underlie the construction and function of chemical gates are described using continuum theory and molecular simulation. Examples are given that show how colloids with specific chemical logic gates, can perform simple sensing tasks. Due to the diverse functions of different enzyme gates, operating alone or in circuits, the work presented here supports the suggestion that synthetic motors using such gates could be designed to operate in an autonomous way in order to complete complicated tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang‐Xing Chen
- Department of PhysicsHangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhou311121China
| | - Jia‐Qi Hu
- Department of PhysicsHangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhou311121China
| | - Raymond Kapral
- Chemical Physics Theory GroupDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioM5S 3H6Canada
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4
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Wang Y, Chen H, Xie L, Liu J, Zhang L, Yu J. Swarm Autonomy: From Agent Functionalization to Machine Intelligence. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2312956. [PMID: 38653192 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Swarm behaviors are common in nature, where individual organisms collaborate via perception, communication, and adaptation. Emulating these dynamics, large groups of active agents can self-organize through localized interactions, giving rise to complex swarm behaviors, which exhibit potential for applications across various domains. This review presents a comprehensive summary and perspective of synthetic swarms, to bridge the gap between the microscale individual agents and potential applications of synthetic swarms. It is begun by examining active agents, the fundamental units of synthetic swarms, to understand the origins of their motility and functionality in the presence of external stimuli. Then inter-agent communications and agent-environment communications that contribute to the swarm generation are summarized. Furthermore, the swarm behaviors reported to date and the emergence of machine intelligence within these behaviors are reviewed. Eventually, the applications enabled by distinct synthetic swarms are summarized. By discussing the emergent machine intelligence in swarm behaviors, insights are offered into the design and deployment of autonomous synthetic swarms for real-world applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibin Wang
- School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518172, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen, 518172, China
| | - Hui Chen
- School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518172, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen, 518172, China
| | - Leiming Xie
- School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518172, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen, 518172, China
| | - Jinbo Liu
- School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518172, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen, 518172, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jiangfan Yu
- School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518172, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen, 518172, China
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5
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Tang ZS, Li JJ, Zhu WJ, Ai BQ. Collective self-optimization of binary mixed heterogeneous populations. Phys Rev E 2024; 109:024405. [PMID: 38491669 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.109.024405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
To maximize the survival chances of society members, collective self-organization must balance individual interests with promoting the collective welfare. Although situations where group members have equal optimal values are clear, how varying optimal values impacts group dynamics remains unclear. To address this gap, we conducted a self-optimization study of a binary system incorporating communication-enabled active particles with distinct optimal values. We demonstrate that similar particles will spontaneously aggregate and separate from each other to maximize their individual benefits during the process of self-optimization. Our research shows that both types of particles can produce the optimal field values at low density. However, only one type of particle can achieve the optimal field values at medium density. At high densities, neither type of particle is effective in reaching the optimal field values. Interestingly, we observed that during the self-optimization process, the mixture demixed spontaneously under certain circumstances of mixed particles. Particles with higher optimal values developed into larger clusters, while particles with lower optimal values migrated outside of these clusters, resulting in the separation of the mixture. To achieve this separation, suitable noise intensity, particle density, and the significant difference in optimal values were necessary. Our results provide a more profound comprehension of the self-optimization of synthetic or biological agents' communication and provide valuable insight into separating binary species and mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Sha Tang
- Key Laboratory of Atomic and Subatomic Structure and Quantum Control (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Structure and Fundamental Interactions of Matter, School of Physics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jia-Jian Li
- Key Laboratory of Atomic and Subatomic Structure and Quantum Control (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Structure and Fundamental Interactions of Matter, School of Physics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wei-Jing Zhu
- School of Photoelectric Engineering, Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University, Guangzhou 510665, China
| | - Bao-Quan Ai
- Key Laboratory of Atomic and Subatomic Structure and Quantum Control (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Structure and Fundamental Interactions of Matter, School of Physics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, and Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Quantum Matter, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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6
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Medeiros ES, Feudel U. Local control for the collective dynamics of self-propelled particles. Phys Rev E 2024; 109:014312. [PMID: 38366537 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.109.014312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Utilizing a paradigmatic model for the motion of interacting self-propelled particles, we demonstrate that local accelerations at the level of individual particles can drive transitions between different collective dynamics, leading to a control process. We find that the ability to trigger such transitions is hierarchically distributed among the particles and can form distinctive spatial patterns within the collective. Chaotic dynamics occur during the transitions, which can be attributed to fractal basin boundaries mediating the control process. The particle hierarchies described in this paper offer decentralized capabilities for controlling artificial swarms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Everton S Medeiros
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Feudel
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany
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7
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Lee SY, Schönhöfer PWA, Glotzer SC. Complex motion of steerable vesicular robots filled with active colloidal rods. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22773. [PMID: 38123626 PMCID: PMC10733302 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49314-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
While the collective motion of active particles has been studied extensively, effective strategies to navigate particle swarms without external guidance remain elusive. We introduce a method to control the trajectories of two-dimensional swarms of active rod-like particles by confining the particles to rigid bounding membranes (vesicles) with non-uniform curvature. We show that the propelling agents spontaneously form clusters at the membrane wall and collectively propel the vesicle, turning it into an active superstructure. To further guide the motion of the superstructure, we add discontinuous features to the rigid membrane boundary in the form of a kinked tip, which acts as a steering component to direct the motion of the vesicle. We report that the system's geometrical and material properties, such as the aspect ratio and Péclet number of the active rods as well as the kink angle and flexibility of the membrane, determine the stacking of active particles close to the kinked confinement and induce a diverse set of dynamical behaviors of the superstructure, including linear and circular motion both in the direction of, and opposite to, the kink. From a systematic study of these various behaviors, we design vesicles with switchable and reversible locomotions by tuning the confinement parameters. The observed phenomena suggest a promising mechanism for particle transportation and could be used as a basic element to navigate active matter through complex and tortuous environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Y Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
| | - Philipp W A Schönhöfer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
| | - Sharon C Glotzer
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA.
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA.
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8
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Ridgway WJM, Dalwadi MP, Pearce P, Chapman SJ. Motility-Induced Phase Separation Mediated by Bacterial Quorum Sensing. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 131:228302. [PMID: 38101339 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.131.228302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
We study motility-induced phase separation (MIPS) in living active matter, in which cells interact through chemical signaling, or quorum sensing. In contrast to previous theories of MIPS, our multiscale continuum model accounts explicitly for genetic regulation of signal production and motility. Through analysis and simulations, we derive a new criterion for the onset of MIPS that depends on features of the genetic network. Furthermore, we identify and characterize a new type of oscillatory instability that occurs when gene regulation inside cells promotes motility in higher signal concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley J M Ridgway
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6GG, United Kingdom
| | - Mohit P Dalwadi
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6GG, United Kingdom
- Department of Mathematics, University College London, London WC1H 0AY, United Kingdom
- Institute for the Physics of Living Systems, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Pearce
- Department of Mathematics, University College London, London WC1H 0AY, United Kingdom
- Institute for the Physics of Living Systems, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - S Jonathan Chapman
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6GG, United Kingdom
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9
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Krüger T, Maryshev I, Frey E. Hierarchical defect-induced condensation in active nematics. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:8954-8964. [PMID: 37971530 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00895a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Topological defects play a central role in the formation and organization of various biological systems. Historically, such nonequilibrium defects have been mainly studied in the context of homogeneous active nematics. Phase-separated systems, in turn, are known to form dense and dynamic nematic bands, but typically lack topological defects. In this paper, we use agent-based simulations of weakly aligning, self-propelled polymers and demonstrate that contrary to the existing paradigm phase-separated active nematics form -1/2 defects. Moreover, these defects, emerging due to interactions among dense nematic bands, constitute a novel second-order collective state. We investigate the morphology of defects in detail and find that their cores correspond to a strong increase in density, associated with a condensation of nematic fluxes. Unlike their analogs in homogeneous systems, such condensed defects form and decay in a different way and do not involve positively charged partners. We additionally observe and characterize lateral arc-like structures that separate from a band's bulk and move in transverse direction. We show that the key control parameters defining the route from stable bands to the coexistence of dynamic lanes and defects are the total density of particles and their path persistence length. We introduce a hydrodynamic theory that qualitatively recapitulates all the main features of the agent-based model, and use it to show that the emergence of both defects and arcs can be attributed to the same anisotropic active fluxes. Finally, we present a way to artificially engineer and position defects, and speculate about experimental verification of the provided model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Krüger
- Arnold Sommerfeld Center for Theoretical Physics (ASC) and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Department of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Theresienstrasse 37, 80333 Munich, Germany.
| | - Ivan Maryshev
- Arnold Sommerfeld Center for Theoretical Physics (ASC) and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Department of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Theresienstrasse 37, 80333 Munich, Germany.
| | - Erwin Frey
- Arnold Sommerfeld Center for Theoretical Physics (ASC) and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Department of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Theresienstrasse 37, 80333 Munich, Germany.
- Max Planck School Matter to Life, Hofgartenstraße 8, 80539 Munich, Germany
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10
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Debata S, Panda SK, Trivedi S, Uspal W, Singh DP. pH-Responsive swimming behavior of light-powered rod-shaped micromotors. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:17534-17543. [PMID: 37870073 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr03775d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Micromotors have emerged as promising devices for a wide range of applications e.g., microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip devices, active matter, environmental monitoring, etc. The control over the activity of micromotors with the ability to exhibit multimode swimming is one of the most desirable features for many of the applications. Here, we demonstrate a rod-shaped light-driven micromotor whose activity and swimming behavior can easily be controlled. The rod-shaped micromotors are fabricated through the dynamic shadowing growth (DSG) technique, where a 2 μm long arm of titanium dioxide (TiO2) is grown over spherical silica (SiO2) particles (1 μm diameter). Under low-intensity UV light exposure, the micromotors exhibit self-propulsion in an aqueous peroxide medium. When activated, the swimming behavior of micromotors greatly depends on the pH of the medium. The swimming direction, i.e., forward or backward movement, as well as swimming modes like translational or rotational motion, can be controlled by changing the pH values. The observed dynamics has been rationalized using a theoretical model incorporating chemical activity, hydrodynamic flow, and the effect of gravity for a rod-shaped active particle near a planar wall. The pH-dependent translational and rotational dynamics of micromotors provide a versatile platform for achieving controlled and responsive behaviors. Continued research and development in this area hold great promise for advancing micromotors and enabling novel applications in microfluidics, micromachining, environmental sciences, and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanta Debata
- Department of Physics, IIT Bhilai, Kutelabhata, Durg, Chhattisgarh, 491001, India.
| | - Suvendu Kumar Panda
- Department of Physics, IIT Bhilai, Kutelabhata, Durg, Chhattisgarh, 491001, India.
| | - Satyaprakash Trivedi
- Department of Physics, IIT Bhilai, Kutelabhata, Durg, Chhattisgarh, 491001, India.
| | - William Uspal
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 2540 Dole Street, Holmes Hall 302, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
| | - Dhruv Pratap Singh
- Department of Physics, IIT Bhilai, Kutelabhata, Durg, Chhattisgarh, 491001, India.
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11
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Zhang B, Glatz A, Aranson IS, Snezhko A. Spontaneous shock waves in pulse-stimulated flocks of Quincke rollers. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7050. [PMID: 37923744 PMCID: PMC10624688 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42633-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Active matter demonstrates complex spatiotemporal self-organization not accessible at equilibrium and the emergence of collective behavior. Fluids comprised of microscopic Quincke rollers represent a popular realization of synthetic active matter. Temporal activity modulations, realized by modulated external electric fields, represent an effective tool to expand the variety of accessible dynamic states in active ensembles. Here, we report on the emergence of shockwave patterns composed of coherently moving particles energized by a pulsed electric field. The shockwaves emerge spontaneously and move faster than the average particle speed. Combining experiments, theory, and simulations, we demonstrate that the shockwaves originate from intermittent spontaneous vortex cores due to a vortex meandering instability. They occur when the rollers' translational and rotational decoherence times, regulated by the electric pulse durations, become comparable. The phenomenon does not rely on the presence of confinement, and multiple shock waves continuously arise and vanish in the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, 60439, USA.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
| | - Andreas Glatz
- Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, 60439, USA
- Department of Physics, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA
| | - Igor S Aranson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Department of Mathematics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Alexey Snezhko
- Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, 60439, USA.
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12
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Murphy P, Comstock J, Khan T, Zhang J, Welch R, Igoshin OA. Cell behaviors underlying Myxococcus xanthus aggregate dispersal. mSystems 2023; 8:e0042523. [PMID: 37747885 PMCID: PMC10654071 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00425-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Understanding the processes behind bacterial biofilm formation, maintenance, and dispersal is essential for addressing their effects on health and ecology. Within these multicellular communities, various cues can trigger differentiation into distinct cell types, allowing cells to adapt to their specific local environment. The soil bacterium Myxococcus xanthus forms biofilms in response to starvation, marked by cells aggregating into mounds. Some aggregates persist as spore-filled fruiting bodies, while others disperse after initial formation for unknown reasons. Here, we use a combination of cell tracking analysis and computational simulations to identify behaviors at the cellular level that contribute to aggregate dispersal. Our results suggest that cells in aggregates actively determine whether to disperse or persist and undergo a transition to sporulation based on a self-produced cue related to the aggregate size. Identifying these cues is an important step in understanding and potentially manipulating bacterial cell-fate decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Murphy
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Theoretical Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jessica Comstock
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Trosporsha Khan
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Jiangguo Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Theoretical Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Roy Welch
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Oleg A. Igoshin
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Theoretical Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
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13
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Zhao H, Košmrlj A, Datta SS. Chemotactic Motility-Induced Phase Separation. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 131:118301. [PMID: 37774273 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.131.118301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Collectives of actively moving particles can spontaneously separate into dilute and dense phases-a fascinating phenomenon known as motility-induced phase separation (MIPS). MIPS is well-studied for randomly moving particles with no directional bias. However, many forms of active matter exhibit collective chemotaxis, directed motion along a chemical gradient that the constituent particles can generate themselves. Here, using theory and simulations, we demonstrate that collective chemotaxis strongly competes with MIPS-in some cases, arresting or completely suppressing phase separation, or in other cases, generating fundamentally new dynamic instabilities. We establish principles describing this competition, thereby helping to reveal and clarify the rich physics underlying active matter systems that perform chemotaxis, ranging from cells to robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Zhao
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Andrej Košmrlj
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
- Princeton Materials Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Sujit S Datta
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
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14
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van der Kolk J, Raßhofer F, Swiderski R, Haldar A, Basu A, Frey E. Anomalous Collective Dynamics of Autochemotactic Populations. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 131:088201. [PMID: 37683146 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.131.088201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
While the role of local interactions in nonequilibrium phase transitions is well studied, a fundamental understanding of the effects of long-range interactions is lacking. We study the critical dynamics of reproducing agents subject to autochemotactic interactions and limited resources. A renormalization group analysis reveals distinct scaling regimes for fast (attractive or repulsive) interactions; for slow signal transduction, the dynamics is dominated by a diffusive fixed point. Furthermore, we present a correction to the Keller-Segel nonlinearity emerging close to the extinction threshold and a novel nonlinear mechanism that stabilizes the continuous transition against the emergence of a characteristic length scale due to a chemotactic collapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper van der Kolk
- Arnold Sommerfeld Center for Theoretical Physics and Center for NanoScience, Department of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Theresienstraße 37, D-80333 Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Raßhofer
- Arnold Sommerfeld Center for Theoretical Physics and Center for NanoScience, Department of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Theresienstraße 37, D-80333 Munich, Germany
| | - Richard Swiderski
- Arnold Sommerfeld Center for Theoretical Physics and Center for NanoScience, Department of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Theresienstraße 37, D-80333 Munich, Germany
| | - Astik Haldar
- Theory Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, HBNI, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Calcutta 700 064, West Bengal, India
| | - Abhik Basu
- Theory Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, HBNI, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Calcutta 700 064, West Bengal, India
| | - Erwin Frey
- Arnold Sommerfeld Center for Theoretical Physics and Center for NanoScience, Department of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Theresienstraße 37, D-80333 Munich, Germany
- Max Planck School Matter to Life, Hofgartenstraße 8, 80539 Munich, Germany
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15
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McDonald MN, Zhu Q, Paxton WF, Peterson CK, Tree DR. Active control of equilibrium, near-equilibrium, and far-from-equilibrium colloidal systems. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:1675-1694. [PMID: 36790855 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01447e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The development of top-down active control over bottom-up colloidal assembly processes has the potential to produce materials, surfaces, and objects with applications in a wide range of fields spanning from computing to materials science to biomedical engineering. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the field using a taxonomy based on how active control is used to guide assembly. We find there are three distinct scenarios: (1) navigating kinetic pathways to reach a desirable equilibrium state, (2) the creation of a desirable metastable, kinetically trapped, or kinetically arrested state, and (3) the creation of a desirable far-from-equilibrium state through continuous energy input. We review seminal works within this framework, provide a summary of important application areas, and present a brief introduction to the fundamental concepts of control theory that are necessary for the soft materials community to understand this literature. In addition, we outline current and potential future applications of actively-controlled colloidal systems, and we highlight important open questions and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark N McDonald
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA.
| | - Qinyu Zhu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA.
| | - Walter F Paxton
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Cameron K Peterson
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Douglas R Tree
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA.
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16
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Dullweber T, Erzberger A. Mechanochemical feedback loops in contact-dependent fate patterning. CURRENT OPINION IN SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2023; 32-33:None. [PMID: 37090955 PMCID: PMC10112234 DOI: 10.1016/j.coisb.2023.100445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
To reliably form and maintain structures with specific functions, many multicellular systems evolved to leverage the interplay between biochemical signaling, mechanics, and morphology. We review mechanochemical feedback loops in cases where cell-cell contact-based Notch signaling drives fate decisions, and the corresponding differentiation process leads to contact remodeling. We compare different mechanisms for initial symmetry breaking and subsequent pattern refinement, as well as discuss how patterning outcomes depend on the relationship between biochemical and mechanical timescales. We conclude with an overview of new approaches, including the study of synthetic circuits, and give an outlook on future experimental and theoretical developments toward dissecting and harnessing mechanochemical feedback.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Dullweber
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstraße 1, Heidelberg, 69117, Germany
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - A. Erzberger
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstraße 1, Heidelberg, 69117, Germany
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
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