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Active polar fluid flow in finite droplets.
Carl A Whitfield1, Davide Marenduzzo, Raphaël Voituriez
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, S3 7RH, Sheffield, UK, pha08caw@shef.ac.uk.
The European Physical Journal. E, Soft Matter
|February 18, 2014
Summary
This study models active contractile fluid droplets, revealing how filament polarization drives self-propulsion. The findings offer insights into cell migration mechanisms in confined environments.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Fluid Dynamics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Active contractile fluids, composed of filaments and motors, are crucial in biological systems.
- Understanding droplet motility is key to comprehending cell migration in confined environments like tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a continuum analytical model for active contractile fluid droplets.
- To investigate the mechanisms of self-propelled motion in such droplets at low Reynolds' number.
Main Methods:
- Analytical modeling of a droplet with internal filaments and motors.
- Calculation of steady-state flows resulting from filament polarization.
- Inclusion of external medium interaction via viscous friction at the droplet boundary.
Main Results:
- The model predicts non-zero force dipole and quadrupole moments for the droplet.
- The quadrupole moment is identified as essential for self-propelled motion.
- Analytical results demonstrate dependence on friction, activity, and polarization parameters.
Conclusions:
- The study presents a simple mechanism for active droplet motility in 3D environments.
- This model is relevant to cell migration within confined biological tissues.
- The findings predict system behavior based on key physical parameters.
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