Morphogenesis control by mechanical stresses (A19)

• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 178321814

Fluid flows can quickly propagate over long distances and are therefore candidates to control collective behavior. The slime mold Physarum polycephalum is a paradigm of long-ranged cytoplasmic fluid flows. We follow chemotacting Physarum specimen of varying size to identify how fluid flows can coordinate the behavior of competing protrusion during directed migration. Data are combined with theoretical models of potential mechanisms of coordination as there are diffusive or flow-based transport of signals or hydrodynamic coupling. We thereby aim to identify mechanisms by which fluid flows control collective dynamics in biological matter.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 937: Collective Behaviour of Soft and Biological Matter
• Applicant Institution: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
• Co-Applicant Institution: Max-Planck-Institut für Dynamik und Selbstorganisation (MPIDS)
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Karen Alim