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The Ciliate Paramecium Shows Higher Motility in Non-Uniform Chemical Landscapes

Author

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  • Carl Giuffre
  • Peter Hinow
  • Ryan Vogel
  • Tanvir Ahmed
  • Roman Stocker
  • Thomas R Consi
  • J Rudi Strickler

Abstract

We study the motility behavior of the unicellular protozoan Paramecium tetraurelia in a microfluidic device that can be prepared with a landscape of attracting or repelling chemicals. We investigate the spatial distribution of the positions of the individuals at different time points with methods from spatial statistics and Poisson random point fields. This makes quantitative the informal notion of “uniform distribution” (or lack thereof). Our device is characterized by the absence of large systematic biases due to gravitation and fluid flow. It has the potential to be applied to the study of other aquatic chemosensitive organisms as well. This may result in better diagnostic devices for environmental pollutants.

Suggested Citation

  • Carl Giuffre & Peter Hinow & Ryan Vogel & Tanvir Ahmed & Roman Stocker & Thomas R Consi & J Rudi Strickler, 2011. "The Ciliate Paramecium Shows Higher Motility in Non-Uniform Chemical Landscapes," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(4), pages 1-6, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0015274
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015274
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    Cited by:

    1. E P Raposo & F Bartumeus & M G E da Luz & P J Ribeiro-Neto & T A Souza & G M Viswanathan, 2011. "How Landscape Heterogeneity Frames Optimal Diffusivity in Searching Processes," PLOS Computational Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(11), pages 1-8, November.
    2. Evelyn Hamilton & Pietro Cicuta, 2021. "Changes in geometrical aspects of a simple model of cilia synchronization control the dynamical state, a possible mechanism for switching of swimming gaits in microswimmers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(4), pages 1-15, April.

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