Dynamic bacterial cytoskeleton in Spiroplasma

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H03712
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Biological physics/Chemical physics/Soft matter physics
• Research Institution: Ritsumeikan University
• Principal Investigator: Wada Hirofumi 立命館大学, 理工学部, 教授 (50456753)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 田中 良巳 横浜国立大学, 大学院環境情報研究院, 准教授 (10315830)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): MIYATA Makoto 大阪市立大学, 理学部, 教授 (50209912) ; NAKANE Daisuke 学習院大学, 理学部, 助教 (40708997)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 細胞力学 / 細菌の細胞骨格 / 幾何力学 / バイオメカニクス / 運動マシナリー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have revealed some new aspects on the mechanics of unique swimming motility of bacterium Spiroplasma. In particular, we have constructed the minimal mechanistic model that may explain helical morphologies of Spiroplasma based on the structural biological data on the ribbon-like cytoskeleton. We have also determined the elastic rigidities of Spiroplasma cell by combining theoretical and numerical analysis with the data from the micromanipulation experiments. In addition to these, we have studied fundamental geometric mechanical properties of macro-scale elastic ribbons by combining theory and experiment, and discussed our new findings in relation to cellular mechanics of bacteria. To summarize, our achievement during the period of this project will significantly contribute to the understanding of yet mysterious mechanism of Spiroplasma swimming dynamics.

Free Research Field

生物物理学