Microplasmodium dynamics of physarum polycephalum

  • E. Bernitt
  • , C. Oettmeier
  • , H. G. Döbereiner

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

The slime mold Physarum polycephalum exhibits well-known oscillations of its vein network, which drive the so-called shuttle streaming of endoplasmic fluid within the veins. These oscillations are already visible in microplasmodia, which are precursors of extended networks. We present a correlation analysis of single microplasmodia monitored in bright field. We measure the cross-sectional area and calculate the spatio-temporal velocity map of the cellular edge. We find fast oscillations with a period of 1-2 minutes superimposed on slow oscillations with a period of 20 minutes. Amplitude and period of the fast oscillations correlate with the phase of the slow oscillations. In addition, we find lateral contraction waves running along the cellular circumference with a speed of 10 microns per second.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication6th World Congress of Biomechanics, WCB 2010 - In Conjunction with 14th International Conference on Biomedical Engineering, ICBME and 5th Asia Pacific Conference on Biomechanics, APBiomech
Pages1133-1136
Number of pages4
DOIs
StatePublished - 22 Oct 2010
Externally publishedYes
Event6th World Congress of Biomechanics, WCB 2010 - In Conjunction with 14th International Conference on Biomedical Engineering, ICBME and 5th Asia Pacific Conference on Biomechanics, APBiomech - Singapore, Singapore
Duration: 1 Aug 20106 Aug 2010

Publication series

NameIFMBE Proceedings
Volume31 IFMBE
ISSN (Print)1680-0737

Conference

Conference6th World Congress of Biomechanics, WCB 2010 - In Conjunction with 14th International Conference on Biomedical Engineering, ICBME and 5th Asia Pacific Conference on Biomechanics, APBiomech
Country/TerritorySingapore
CitySingapore
Period1/08/106/08/10

Keywords

  • Slime mold
  • active gels
  • cell motility
  • mechanobiology
  • oscillations

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Biomedical Engineering

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