Gait changes in the motility of Euglena gracilis: theory and experiments on flagellar swimming and metaboly

Antonio DeSimone (SISSA) Cambridge Fluids Network - fluids-related seminars 28 June 2018 1:00pm MR11, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge In recent years we have studied locomotion and shape control in Euglena gracilis with a variety of methods including theory, numerical simulation, and observations at the microscope. This unicellular protist is particularly interesting because it can adopt different motility strategies: swimming by flagellar propulsion, or crawling thanks to large amplitude shape changes of the whole body (a behavior known as metaboly). We will survey our most recent findings within this stream of research.