Bacterial transport of colloids in liquid crystalline environments

Soft Matter. 2015 Nov 21;11(43):8404-8. doi: 10.1039/c5sm02041g.

Abstract

We describe the controlled transport and delivery of non-motile eukaryotic cells and polymer microparticles by swimming bacteria suspended in nematic liquid crystals. The bacteria push reversibly attached cargo in a stable, unidirectional path (or along a complex patterned director field) over exceptionally long distances. Numerical simulations and analytical predictions for swimming speeds provide a mechanistic insight into the hydrodynamics of the system. This study lays the foundation for using cargo-carrying bacteria in engineering applications and for understanding interspecies interactions in polymicrobial communities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Colloids / chemistry*
  • Hydrodynamics*
  • Liquid Crystals*
  • Models, Chemical
  • Motion
  • Movement*
  • Proteus mirabilis / physiology*

Substances

  • Colloids