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Self-Sustained Density Oscillations of Swimming Bacteria Confined in Microchambers

2015; American Physical Society; Volume: 115; Issue: 18 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1103/physrevlett.115.188303

1092-0145

Matteo Paoluzzi, Roberto Di Leonardo, L. Angelani,

Microfluidic and Bio-sensing Technologies

We numerically study the dynamics of run-and-tumble particles confined in two chambers connected by thin channels. Two dominant dynamical behaviors emerge: (i) an oscillatory pumping state, in which particles periodically fill the two vessels and (ii) a circulating flow state, dynamically maintaining a near constant population level in the containers when connected by two channels. We demonstrate that the oscillatory behaviour arises from the combination of a narrow channel, preventing bacteria reorientation, and a density dependent motility inside the chambers.