Bacterial Biohybrid Microswimmers.

Area of Science:

• Microscale biological systems and biohybrid locomotion.
• Biophysics and nanotechnology.
• Evolutionary strategies for micro- and nanomotility.

Background:

• Biological systems exhibit sophisticated micro- and nanomotility, overcoming challenges like Brownian motion and low Reynolds numbers.
• Natural microswimmers, from motor proteins to single cells, employ diverse strategies for efficient movement.
• Understanding these natural mechanisms is crucial for developing advanced biohybrid systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review natural microswimming systems and their motion strategies.
• To explore physical principles governing microscale locomotion.
• To examine biohybrid constructs, focusing on bacteria and their engineered counterparts.

Main Methods:

• Survey of naturally motile systems and their evolutionary adaptations.
• Analysis of physical laws and parameters limiting microscale motion.
• Characterization of biological microswimmers and synthetic biohybrids.
• Elucidation of bacterial locomotion principles and biohybrid coupling strategies.

Main Results:

• Nature has evolved efficient microswimmers utilizing unique strategies to navigate low Reynolds number environments.
• Biohybrid systems, particularly bacteria coupled with artificial microobjects, demonstrate altered locomotion dynamics.
• The review categorizes various biohybrid designs and their impact on motility.

Conclusions:

• Bacterial biohybrids offer a promising platform for microscale locomotion and applications.
• Further research is needed for a realistic evaluation of proposed biohybrid applications.
• Nature's designs provide a blueprint for future micro- and nanotechnological advancements.