Band patterns of red blood cells Induced by Density gradients (BAND-ID)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Christian Wagner, since 3/2025
• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 555960810

Centrifugation of erythrocytes (aka Red Blood Cells, RBCs) in self-forming continuous Percoll gradient is a protocol often used as a cheap and convenient way to sort RBCs by age. However, a pattern formation of discrete bands is systematically observed along the continuous density gradient. We recently demonstrated that the competition between aggregation and iso-density distribution is a novel physical mechanism leading to pattern formation during this common clinical blood processing. This project aims to understand better the fundamental properties of this newly unveiled physical mechanism and its sensitivity on RBC properties, to deduce how the band pattern could be used as a medical tool to characterize the cell population.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Dr. Alexis Darras, until 3/2025