Loss of collective motion in swarming bacteria undergoing stress

Phys Rev Lett. 2013 Nov 15;111(20):208101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.208101. Epub 2013 Nov 11.

Abstract

The collective motion of Bacillus subtilis in the presence of a photosensitizer is disrupted by reactive oxygen species when exposed to light of sufficient dosages and is partially recovered when light irradiation is suspended. The transition from a highly collective to a more random motion is modeled using an improved self-propelled model with alignment rule. The increment in noise level describes the enhanced uncertainty in the motion of swarming bacteria under stress as observed experimentally.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacillus subtilis / drug effects
  • Bacillus subtilis / physiology*
  • Bacillus subtilis / radiation effects
  • Models, Biological*
  • Motion*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / pharmacology
  • Protoporphyrins / pharmacology
  • Stress, Physiological

Substances

  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Protoporphyrins
  • protoporphyrin IX