Unraveling Bacterial Swimming: Insights from Mathematical Modeling, Simulations, and Experiments

Flagella-driven motility is a widespread strategy by which microorganisms navigate complex aqueous environments. Swimming cells must not only generate propulsion but also respond to, and interact with, the physical properties of their surroundings. Understanding how these processes shape microbial locomotion remains a challenge at the interface of biology, physics, engineering, and applied mathematics.

In this talk, I will present mathematical and computational models that reveal the physical mechanisms underlying the swimming of microorganisms, focusing on flagellated species including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, and Campylobacter jejuni, as well as the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. By integrating mathematical modeling with experimental observations, these studies uncover how flagellar architecture, fluid properties and environmental confinement govern swimming behavior. Beyond reproducing experimental observations, the models provide new insights into the physical principles that enable microorganisms to navigate and thrive in complex environments.