Statistical Mobility of Multicellular Colonies of Flagellated Swimming Cells

by Yonatan Ashenafi and Peter R. Kramer

Eukaryotic cells, such as protozoa and sperm, use flagella—whip-like structures—for movement, helping them navigate, find food, interact, and evade predators. Researchers study flagellar propulsion through fluid dynamics and cellular responses. Recently, attention has shifted to multicellular colonies, where each cell has its own flagellum. In these colonies, misaligned flagella can cause unique movements, like rotating or spiraling. This paper presents a mathematical model to predict how flagellar behavior and colony structure affect movement, offering insights into the emergence of functional multicellularity.

Time-lapse composite schematic of a circular colony's planar motion. The colony consists of a dozen flagellated cells.