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Hydrodynamic focusing of motile algal cells

Nature volume 313, pages 218–220 (1985)Cite this article

Abstract

The swimming direction of algal cells can be guided so that the cells are focused into a concentrated beam. This directed locomotion, or taxis, results from the orientation of the cells' axes by compensating gravitational and viscous torques. It is named gyrotaxis because of this origin. Gyrotaxis includes rheotaxis1, which is concerned with orientation and locomotion of elongated microorganisms, especially spermatozoa, in fluids with a velocity gradient. I present here a simplified theory of gyrotaxis, together with experimental evidence. A geometrical arrangement is shown whereby the effect can be made the basis of a new method for concentrating and separating motile cells. Unlike standard concentration/separation techniques, the gyrotactic method requires active participation of the cells and can, in principle, distinguish among them on the basis of morphology and swimming behaviour. I also discuss the role of gyrotaxis in the maintenance of naturally occurring descending streams of cells and in bioconvection patterns.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, USA

    John O. Kessler

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  1. John O. Kessler
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Kessler, J. Hydrodynamic focusing of motile algal cells. Nature 313, 218–220 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/313218a0

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