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Nature’s Microfluidic Transporter: Rotational Cytoplasmic Streaming at High Péclet Numbers

Jan-Willem van de Meent, Idan Tuval, and Raymond E. Goldstein
Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 178102 – Published 20 October 2008
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Abstract

Cytoplasmic streaming circulates the contents of large eukaryotic cells, often with complex flow geometries. A largely unanswered question is the significance of these flows for molecular transport and mixing. Motivated by “rotational streaming” in Characean algae, we solve the advection-diffusion dynamics of flow in a cylinder with bidirectional helical forcing at the wall. A circulatory flow transverse to the cylinder’s long axis, akin to Dean vortices at finite Reynolds numbers, arises from the chiral geometry. Strongly enhanced lateral transport and longitudinal homogenization occur if the transverse Péclet number is sufficiently large, with scaling laws arising from boundary layers.

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  • Received 20 June 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.178102

©2008 American Physical Society

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The inner life of mesoorganisms

Published 20 October 2008

Some of the most ingenious ideas for designing microfluidic systems come from observing plants and animals. A study that quantifies the protein-driven helical flow of liquid in large plant cells, for instance, may well inspire micron-scale liquid mixers and sensors.

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Authors & Affiliations

Jan-Willem van de Meent1, Idan Tuval1, and Raymond E. Goldstein1,2

  • 1Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA, United Kingdom
  • 2Cambridge Computational Biology Institute, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA, United Kingdom

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Issue

Vol. 101, Iss. 17 — 24 October 2008

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