Journal of Fluid Mechanics Webinar Series: Eva Kanso, USC

The Leeds Institute for Fluid Dynamics is delighted to partner with the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge, the UK Fluids Network, and the Journal of Fluid Mechanics to deliver a regular webinar series on fluids-related topics.

The autumn edition of the Fluid Mechanics Webinar Series will take place over ten weeks between 2nd October and 4th December 2020. Registration will remain open, and please note that if you have already registered you need not register again.

Speaker: Eva Kanso

Date/Time: Friday 20th November, 2020. 4:00 pm GMT/11 am EST

Title: Ciliary Coordination

Abstract: Motile cilia covering the surface of eukaryotic cells, from single-celled protozoa to epithelial surfaces in the mammalian airways, synchronize their beat to enable efficient fluid transport. The nature of the mechanisms leading to ciliary coordination remains unclear. I will review our understanding of this process based on physics-based mathematical models where either hydrodynamic or elastic forces between neighboring cilia are sufficient to lead to synchronization. Further, I will demonstrate that it is possible to reach, and transition between, multiple modes of synchrony by varying the intrinsic activity of the individual cilia and the strength of the coupling between them. I will conclude by commenting on the implications of these findings to our understanding of ciliary design and function in mammalian tissues as well as in unicellular organisms where transitions between distinct synchronization modes are crucial for the cell behavior and survival.