Frequency-dependent chemolocation and chemotactic target selection

Chemotaxis is typically modeled in the context of cellular motion toward a static, exogenous source of chemoattractant. Here we propose a time-dependent mechanism of chemotaxis in which a self-propelled particle (e.g. a cell) releases a chemical that diffuses to fixed particles (targets) and signals the production of a second chemical by these targets. The particle then moves up concentration gradients of this second chemical, analogous to diffusive echolocation. When one target is present, we describe probe release strategies that optimize travel of the cell to the target. In the presence of multiple targets, the one selected by the cell depends on the strength and, interestingly, on the frequency of probe chemical release. Although involving an additional chemical signaling step, our chemical 'pinging' hypothesis allows for greater flexibility in regulating target selection, as seen in a number of physical or biological realizations.