Hydrodynamic Interaction and Geometric Memory Effect Drive Directed Swimming of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii near Periodic Microstructures

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Li, Chunhe, Bian, Hongyi, Lin, Zixiang, Man, Yi, Qu, Zijie
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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_version_ 1866915191361372160
author Li, Chunhe
Bian, Hongyi
Lin, Zixiang
Man, Yi
Qu, Zijie
author_facet Li, Chunhe
Bian, Hongyi
Lin, Zixiang
Man, Yi
Qu, Zijie
contents The movement of microorganisms near solid-liquid interfaces is a topic of significant scientific interest due to its relevance in various natural and industrial contexts, such as biofilm formation and marine biofouling. In this study, we investigate the swimming behavior of C. reinhardtii near a sinusoidal periodic microstructure (SPM). Using fluorescence microscopy and three-dimensional tracking, we observe that the swimming direction of C. reinhardtii is strongly influenced by the geometric constraints of the SPM. Our results show that cells tend to aggregate at the bottom of the SPM rather than the top, and exhibit a speed orientation tendency near the microstructure. We attribute this behavior to a combination of the "memory effect" and hydrodynamic attraction. By altering the shape of the periodic microstructure, we successfully achieve directed induction of cell swimming, which has potential applications in micro-nano robot control and biofouling prevention. This work provides new insights into the movement mechanisms of microorganisms near solid-liquid surfaces and highlights the potential for manipulating their behavior through microstructure design.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2503_08376
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Hydrodynamic Interaction and Geometric Memory Effect Drive Directed Swimming of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii near Periodic Microstructures
Li, Chunhe
Bian, Hongyi
Lin, Zixiang
Man, Yi
Qu, Zijie
Soft Condensed Matter
The movement of microorganisms near solid-liquid interfaces is a topic of significant scientific interest due to its relevance in various natural and industrial contexts, such as biofilm formation and marine biofouling. In this study, we investigate the swimming behavior of C. reinhardtii near a sinusoidal periodic microstructure (SPM). Using fluorescence microscopy and three-dimensional tracking, we observe that the swimming direction of C. reinhardtii is strongly influenced by the geometric constraints of the SPM. Our results show that cells tend to aggregate at the bottom of the SPM rather than the top, and exhibit a speed orientation tendency near the microstructure. We attribute this behavior to a combination of the "memory effect" and hydrodynamic attraction. By altering the shape of the periodic microstructure, we successfully achieve directed induction of cell swimming, which has potential applications in micro-nano robot control and biofouling prevention. This work provides new insights into the movement mechanisms of microorganisms near solid-liquid surfaces and highlights the potential for manipulating their behavior through microstructure design.
title Hydrodynamic Interaction and Geometric Memory Effect Drive Directed Swimming of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii near Periodic Microstructures
topic Soft Condensed Matter
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.08376