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Updated: May 11, 2025
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Synthesis and Operation of Fluorescent-core Microcavities for Refractometric Sensing
Published on: March 13, 2013
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Physical limits on chemical sensing in bounded domains
Daniel R McCusker1, David K Lubensky2
1University of Michigan, Applied Physics Graduate Program, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
Physical Review. E
|April 18, 2025
Summary
Cellular chemosensation precision is limited by diffusion. This study reveals that smaller sensors can outperform larger ones in confined spaces, challenging classical assumptions about sensor size and boundary effects.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Biochemical Engineering
Background:
- Cells detect chemical signals through ligand binding and diffusion.
- Classical models often assume infinite ligand baths, overlooking boundary effects.
- Subcellular and tissue-scale sensing occur in confined environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how sensor size and proximity to boundaries affect chemosensation precision.
- To derive analytical limits for chemosensation in various geometries.
- To understand the fundamental trade-offs in cellular signal detection.
Main Methods:
- Mathematical modeling of diffusion and ligand binding.
- Derivation of analytical expressions for sensing limits.
- Analysis of sensor performance in 1D and 3D geometries with reflecting boundaries.
Main Results:
- Sensor size and position relative to boundaries significantly impact chemosensation precision.
- Smaller sensors can be more effective than larger ones due to spatial-temporal averaging trade-offs.
- Confining boundaries can substantially degrade sensing precision.
Conclusions:
- Chemosensation limits are geometry-dependent, unlike classical infinite-bath assumptions.
- Optimal sensor design requires considering boundary effects and spatial-temporal averaging.
- Understanding these limits is crucial for cellular signaling and synthetic biology applications.
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