Lisa Fauci, Tulane University

Fluid dynamic models of spirochete motility

Friday September 28th, 4pm, Phillips 332
(refreshments served in Phillips 330 starting at 3:30)

Abstract: Spirochetes are a group of helically-shaped bacteria with a fascinating mechanism of swimming. Unlike bacteria such as E. Coli that swim due to the rotation of helical flagella emanating from their cell body, the rotating flagella of spirochetes do not visibly project outward from their cell body. Rather, they reside within a periplasmic space between the cell body and an outer sheath, and are wound around the cell body. We will describe models that investigate the mechanisms of spirochete motility. In addition, we examine the fundamental fluid dynamics of superhelical structures translating and rotating in a Stokes fluid. Coordinated laboratory and computational experiments will be discussed.