title: Self-Sustained Density Oscillations of Swimming Bacteria Confined in Microchambers.
abstract: We numerically study the dynamics of run-and-tumble particles confined in two chambers connected by thin channels. Two dominant dynamical behaviors emerge: (i) an oscillatory pumping state, in which particles periodically fill the two vessels, and (ii) a circulating flow state, dynamically maintaining a near constant population level in the containers when connected by two channels. We demonstrate that the oscillatory behavior arises from the combination of a narrow channel, preventing bacteria reorientation, and a density-dependent motility inside the chambers.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Fisica Università Sapienza, P.le A Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paoluzzi
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Fisica Università Sapienza, P.le A Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy.|NANOTEC-CNR, Institute of Nanotechnology, Soft and Living Matter Laboratory, Piazzale A. Moro 2, I-00185 Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Leonardo
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Fisica Università Sapienza, P.le A Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy.|Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi (ISC-CNR), UOS Sapienza, P.le A Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Angelani
mesh_terms: D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D001683:Biological Clocks; D008954:Models, Biological; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*