Yisong Yao, Zihui Zhao, He Li, Yongfeng Zhao, H P Zhang, Masaki Sano
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The past decade witnessed a surge in discoveries where biological systems, such as bacteria or living cells, inherently portray active polar or nematic behavior: they prefer to align with each other and form local order during migration. Although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, utilizing their physical properties to achieve controllable cell-layer transport will be of fundamental importance. In this study, the ratchet effect is harnessed to control the collective motion of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in vitro. NPCs travel back-and-forth and do not specify head or tail, and therefore regarded as nematics alike liquid crystals. Ratchet and splay-shaped confinements are crafted to modulate collective cell dynamics in dense environments, while jamming is not explicitly spotted. The adaptation of an agent-based simulation further revealed how the ratchet's asymmetry and active forces from nematic order synergistically reinforce the directional cell flow. These findings provide insights into topotaxis in cell populations when restricted to crowded 2D ratchets and the mechanisms that regulate collective behavior of the cells.
期刊介绍:
Advanced Science is a prestigious open access journal that focuses on interdisciplinary research in materials science, physics, chemistry, medical and life sciences, and engineering. The journal aims to promote cutting-edge research by employing a rigorous and impartial review process. It is committed to presenting research articles with the highest quality production standards, ensuring maximum accessibility of top scientific findings. With its vibrant and innovative publication platform, Advanced Science seeks to revolutionize the dissemination and organization of scientific knowledge.