Rapid chemotactic response enables marine bacteria to exploit ephemeral microscale nutrient patches.

Because ocean water is typically resource-poor, bacteria may gain significant growth advantages if they can exploit the ephemeral nutrient patches originating from numerous, small sources. Although this interaction has been proposed to enhance biogeochemical transformation rates in the ocean, it remains questionable whether bacteria are able to efficiently use patches before physical mechanisms dissipate them. Here we show that the rapid chemotactic response of the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis substantially enhances its ability to exploit nutrient patches before they dissipate.

Cellular asymmetry and individuality in directional sensing.

It is generally assumed that single cells in an isogenic population, when exposed to identical environments, exhibit the same behavior. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that, even in a genetically identical population, cellular behavior can vary significantly among cells. Here we explore this variability in the gradient-sensing response of Dictyostelium cells when exposed to repeated spatiotemporal pulses of chemoattractant.

Microfluidic system for measuring neutrophil migratory responses to fast switches of chemical gradients.

Experimental systems that provide temporal and spatial control of chemical gradients are required for probing into the complex mechanisms of eukaryotic cell chemotaxis. However, no current technique can simultaneously generate stable chemical gradients and allow fast gradient changes. We developed a microfluidic system with microstructured membranes for exposing neutrophils to fast and precise changes between stable, linear gradients of the known chemoattractant Interleukin-8 (IL-8).

Probing polymerization forces by using actin-propelled lipid vesicles.

Actin polymerization provides a powerful propulsion force for numerous types of cell motility. Although tremendous progress has been made in identifying the biochemical components necessary for actin-based motility, the precise biophysical mechanisms of force generation remain unclear. To probe the polymerization forces quantitatively, we introduce an experimental system in which lipid vesicles coated with the Listeria monocytogenes virulence factor ActA are propelled by actin polymerization.