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Phenotyping single-cell motility in microfluidic confinement.

Samuel A Bentley1,2,3, Hannah Laeverenz-Schlogelhofer1,2, Vasileios Anagnostidis1,3,4

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We developed a microfluidics assay to track single algae

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Microorganism movement is hard to track due to their small size and fast motion.
  • Understanding cellular behavior requires detailed analysis of movement patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel droplet microfluidics assay for ultralong, high-speed tracking of single micron-sized algae.
  • To compare the distinct swimming behaviors and environmental interactions of two model algal species.
  • To reconstruct the control network governing algal motility and investigate real-time adaptation.

Main Methods:

  • Encapsulation of single algae in droplet microfluidic arenas for closed-system tracking.
  • High-speed, ultralong observation of individual cells (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Pyramimonas octopus).
  • Analysis of motility state transitions (forward swimming, quiescence, tumbling/backward swimming) and droplet fusion for chemical perturbation.

Main Results:

  • Detailed characterization of stereotyped yet contrasting swimming behaviors between the two algal species.
  • Reconstruction of the control network underlying gait switching dynamics based on motility state transition probabilities.
  • Observation of novel boundary circulation behavior in confined environments and real-time adaptation to chemical stimuli.

Conclusions:

  • The novel microfluidics assay enables unprecedented resolution of microorganism motility.
  • Algal species exhibit distinct, genetically controlled locomotor patterns and adaptive responses.
  • This work provides insights into the behavioral control networks of aneural microorganisms.