Ethological dynamics in diorama environments

Measurement of collective dynamics for swimming microorganisms adapting to a diorama environment

Principal
investigator

Masatoshi IchikawaGraduate School of Science, Kyoto University

The purpose of this study is to clarify the mechanism of individual distribution and movement change of ciliates in a diorama environment simulating natural environment. The target is one of unicellular microorganism, Tetrahymena, often used as a model swimming microbe, which shows ciliary swimming behaviors and induces macroscopic properties such as bio-convection. We have clarified the mechanism of wall surface accumulation at a single cell level using the autonomous mechanical response of cilia. In this study, we will clarify the motion dynamics from single cell to bio-convective scale by carrying out experimental measurement of non-linear phenomena derived from fluid dynamics and collective motion. Through this study, we will understand "behavior" and "instinct" of Tetrahymena and similar ciliate in terms of physics and fluid dynamics.