Synchrony and symmetry-breaking in active flagellar coordination

Wan, Kirsty Y.

doi:10.1098/rstb.2019.0393

Cited by 25 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…The anterior flagellum is covered with mastigonemes and may constitute a nodal point to couple the chemical, electro- or mechanosensory pathways with the reconfiguration of the motor apparatus during different phases of motion. The asymmetric position of the two flagella with regard to the perception of a stimulus during forward motion, and/or the variation in their plasma membrane components could underpin the differential responses of each flagellum to each kind of taxis [68] . To describe these mechanisms, the metrics of flagella beating need to be carefully examined by high-speed camera analyses in microfluidic environments to mimic soil and plant surface compositions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phytophthora zoospores: From perception of environmental signals to inoculum formation on the host-root surface

Bassani

Larousse

Tran

et al. 2020

Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal

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To explore moist soils and to target host plants, phytopathogenic Phytophthora species utilize the sensory and propulsion capabilities of the biflagellate unicellular zoospores they produce. Zoospore motion and interactions with the microenvironment are of primary importance for Phytophthora physiology. These are also of critical significance for plant pathology in early infection sequential events and their regulation: the directed zoospore migration toward the host, the local aggregation and adhesion at the host penetration site. In the soil, these early events preceding the root colonization are orchestrated by guidance factors, released from the soil particles in water films, or emitted within microbiota and by host plants. This signaling network is perceived by zoospores and results in coordinated behavior and preferential localization in the rhizosphere. Recent computational and structural studies suggest that rhizospheric ion and plant metabolite sensing is a key determinant in driving zoospore motion, orientation and aggregation. To reach their target, zoospores respond to various molecular, chemical and electrical stimuli. However, it is not yet clear how these signals are generated in local soil niches and which gene functions govern the sensing and subsequent responses of zoospores. Here we review studies on the soil, microbial and host-plant factors that drive zoospore motion, as well as the adaptations governing zoospore behavior. We propose several research directions that could be explored to characterize the role of zoospore microbial ecology in disease.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phytophthora zoospores: From perception of environmental signals to inoculum formation on the host-root surface

Bassani

Larousse

Tran

et al. 2020

Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal

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“…Three species of algae (P. parkeae, P. tetrarhynchus and C. carteria) were cultured axenically according to previously published protocols [5,18].…”

Section: Microalgal Culturing and Imagingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A minimal robophysical model of quadriflagellate self-propulsion

Diaz

Robinson

Ozkan-Aydin

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Locomotion at the microscale is remarkably sophisticated. Microorganisms have evolved diverse strategies to move within highly viscous environments, using deformable, propulsion-generating appendages such as cilia and flagella to drive helical or undulatory motion. In single-celled algae, these appendages can be arranged in different ways around an approximately 10μm cell body, and coordinated in distinct temporal patterns. Inspired by the observation that some quadriflagellates (bearing four flagella) have an outwardly similar morphology and flagellar beat pattern, yet swim at different speeds, this study seeks to determine whether variations in swimming performance could arise solely from differences in swimming gait. Robotics approaches are particularly suited to such investigations, where the phase relationships between appendages can be readily manipulated. Here, we developed autonomous, algae-inspired robophysical models that can self-propel in a viscous fluid. These macroscopic robots (length and width = 8.5 cm, height = 2 cm) have four independently actuated `flagella' that oscillate back and forth under low-Reynolds number conditions (Re=0.1-0.5). We tested the swimming performance of these robot models with appendages arranged in one of two distinct configurations, and coordinated in one of three distinct gaits. The gaits, namely the pronk, the trot, and the gallop, correspond to gaits adopted by distinct microalgal species. When the appendages are inserted perpendicularly around a central `body', the robot achieved a net performance of 0.15-0.63 body lengths per cycle, with the trot gait being the fastest. Robotic swimming performance was found to be comparable to that of the algal microswimmers across all gaits, with parallel appendage placement consistently leading to slower propulsion. By creating a minimal robot that can successfully reproduce cilia-inspired drag-based swimmging, our work paves the way for the design of next-generation devices that have the capacity to autonomously navigate aqueous environments.

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“…2007). A fine control of flagellar and ciliary motility supports the precise navigation of spermatozoa following chemical gradients during fertilization (Friedrich & Jülicher 2007; Yoshida & Yoshida 2011), the taxis of micro-algae towards desirable environments (Wan & Goldstein 2018; Wan 2020), feeding of Paramecium (Funfak et al. 2014) and the transport of mucus to clear airways (Tilley et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%