A hydrodynamic-stochastic model of chemotactic ciliated microorganisms

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Microbiology
• Chemical Ecology

Background:

• Ciliated microorganisms exhibit chemotaxis, responding to chemical gradients via surface receptors.
• Chemotaxis involves internal signaling networks triggered by chemoattractant binding, altering cell surface activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the chemotaxis of ciliated microorganisms using the chiral squirmer model.
• To analyze the influence of chemical gradient strength and adaptation time on microorganism trajectory and chemotaxis success.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the chiral squirmer model, a spherical body with defined surface slip velocity.
• Investigated modifications in slip velocity coefficients due to chemical gradients.
• Calculated mean first passage time to quantify chemotaxis success rates.

Main Results:

• Chemical gradient strength and adaptation time are critical factors in chemotaxis dynamics.
• Stochasticity in ligand-receptor binding leads to irregular trajectories and altered microorganism dynamics.
• The study quantifies the impact of gradient strength and adaptation time on chemotaxis efficiency.

Conclusions:

• Chemotaxis success in ciliated microorganisms is a complex interplay between external stimuli and internal adaptation mechanisms.
• Stochastic ligand-receptor interactions introduce significant variability into microorganism navigation.
• The chiral squirmer model provides a valuable framework for understanding microbial chemotaxis.