Information Cascades Among Ciliated Protozoa

Device concept with a single source well splitting into two channels. Constrictions along channels help ensure one-direction migration. Microfluidic devices can be multiplexed for higher-throughput data collection; here 11 devices are in use, shown on an inverted microscope. Protozoa crawling through a microfluidic channel: shown are Euplotes vannus moving through a water-filled channel 100 microns wide.

The objective of this project is to test the hypothesis that protozoa leave durable chemical signals, like ants. We used a microfluidic device to force protozoa to move from a source well to one of two target wells single-file, and tracked the directions of sequential protozoa. Chemical trails may influence the movement of protozoa in natural environments, their ability to locate food, and their ability to recycle nutrients.

People Involved: Grant Bouchillon, Kristina Gillick, Adit Dhummakupt, Mike Shor