Collective self-caging of active filaments in virtual confinement

Maximilian Kurjahn, Leila Abbaspour, Franziska Papenfuß, Philip Bittihn, Ramin Golestanian, Benoît Mahault () and Stefan Karpitschka ()
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Maximilian Kurjahn: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS)
Leila Abbaspour: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS)
Franziska Papenfuß: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS)
Philip Bittihn: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS)
Ramin Golestanian: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS)
Benoît Mahault: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS)
Stefan Karpitschka: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS)

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Motility coupled to responsive behavior is essential for many microorganisms to seek and establish appropriate habitats. One of the simplest possible responses, reversing the direction of motion, is believed to enable filamentous cyanobacteria to form stable aggregates or accumulate in suitable light conditions. Here, we demonstrate that filamentous morphology in combination with responding to light gradients by reversals has consequences far beyond simple accumulation: Entangled aggregates form at the boundaries of illuminated regions, harnessing the boundary to establish local order. We explore how the light pattern, in particular its boundary curvature, impacts aggregation. A minimal mechanistic model of active flexible filaments resembles the experimental findings, thereby revealing the emergent and generic character of these structures. This phenomenon may enable elongated microorganisms to generate adaptive colony architectures in limited habitats or guide the assembly of biomimetic fibrous materials.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52936-9

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