@misc{SeyrichAlirezaeizanjaniBetaetal.2018, author = {Seyrich, Maximilian and Alirezaeizanjani, Zahra and Beta, Carsten and Stark, Holger}, title = {Statistical parameter inference of bacterial swimming strategies}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {914}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-44621}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-446214}, pages = {23}, year = {2018}, abstract = {We provide a detailed stochastic description of the swimming motion of an E. coli bacterium in two dimension, where we resolve tumble events in time. For this purpose, we set up two Langevin equations for the orientation angle and speed dynamics. Calculating moments, distribution and autocorrelation functions from both Langevin equations and matching them to the same quantities determined from data recorded in experiments, we infer the swimming parameters of E. coli. They are the tumble rate lambda, the tumble time r(-1), the swimming speed v(0), the strength of speed fluctuations sigma, the relative height of speed jumps eta, the thermal value for the rotational diffusion coefficient D-0, and the enhanced rotational diffusivity during tumbling D-T. Conditioning the observables on the swimming direction relative to the gradient of a chemoattractant, we infer the chemotaxis strategies of E. coli. We confirm the classical strategy of a lower tumble rate for swimming up the gradient but also a smaller mean tumble angle (angle bias). The latter is realized by shorter tumbles as well as a slower diffusive reorientation. We also find that speed fluctuations are increased by about 30\% when swimming up the gradient compared to the reversed direction.}, language = {en} } @article{SeyrichAlirezaeizanjaniBetaetal.2018, author = {Seyrich, Maximilian and Alirezaeizanjani, Zahra and Beta, Carsten and Stark, Holger}, title = {Statistical parameter inference of bacterial swimming strategies}, series = {New journal of physics : the open-access journal for physics}, volume = {20}, journal = {New journal of physics : the open-access journal for physics}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {1367-2630}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/aae72c}, pages = {20}, year = {2018}, abstract = {We provide a detailed stochastic description of the swimming motion of an E. coli bacterium in two dimension, where we resolve tumble events in time. For this purpose, we set up two Langevin equations for the orientation angle and speed dynamics. Calculating moments, distribution and autocorrelation functions from both Langevin equations and matching them to the same quantities determined from data recorded in experiments, we infer the swimming parameters of E. coli. They are the tumble rate lambda, the tumble time r(-1), the swimming speed v(0), the strength of speed fluctuations sigma, the relative height of speed jumps eta, the thermal value for the rotational diffusion coefficient D-0, and the enhanced rotational diffusivity during tumbling D-T. Conditioning the observables on the swimming direction relative to the gradient of a chemoattractant, we infer the chemotaxis strategies of E. coli. We confirm the classical strategy of a lower tumble rate for swimming up the gradient but also a smaller mean tumble angle (angle bias). The latter is realized by shorter tumbles as well as a slower diffusive reorientation. We also find that speed fluctuations are increased by about 30\% when swimming up the gradient compared to the reversed direction.}, language = {en} } @article{PfeiferBeierAlirezaeizanjanietal.2022, author = {Pfeifer, Veronika and Beier, S{\"o}nke and Alirezaeizanjani, Zahra and Beta, Carsten}, title = {Role of the two flagellar stators in swimming motility of pseudomonas putida}, series = {mBio}, volume = {13}, journal = {mBio}, number = {6}, publisher = {American Society for Microbiology}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2150-7511}, doi = {10.1128/mbio.02182-22}, pages = {12}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida, the motor torque for flagellar rotation is generated by the two stators MotAB and MotCD. Here, we construct mutant strains in which one or both stators are knocked out and investigate their swimming motility in fluids of different viscosity and in heterogeneous structured environments (semisolid agar). Besides phase-contrast imaging of single-cell trajectories and spreading cultures, dual-color fluorescence microscopy allows us to quantify the role of the stators in enabling P. putida's three different swimming modes, where the flagellar bundle pushes, pulls, or wraps around the cell body. The MotAB stator is essential for swimming motility in liquids, while spreading in semisolid agar is not affected. Moreover, if the MotAB stator is knocked out, wrapped mode formation under low-viscosity conditions is strongly impaired and only partly restored for increased viscosity and in semisolid agar. In contrast, when the MotCD stator is missing, cells are indistinguishable from the wild type in fluid experiments but spread much more slowly in semisolid agar. Analysis of the microscopic trajectories reveals that the MotCD knockout strain forms sessile clusters, thereby reducing the number of motile cells, while the swimming speed is unaffected. Together, both stators ensure a robust wild type that swims efficiently under different environmental conditions. IMPORTANCE Because of its heterogeneous habitat, the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida needs to swim efficiently under very different environmental conditions. In this paper, we knocked out the stators MotAB and MotCD to investigate their impact on the swimming motility of P. putida. While the MotAB stator is crucial for swimming in fluids, in semisolid agar, both stators are sufficient to sustain a fast-swimming phenotype and increased frequencies of the wrapped mode, which is known to be beneficial for escaping mechanical traps. However, in contrast to the MotAB knockout, a culture of MotCD knockout cells spreads much more slowly in the agar, as it forms nonmotile clusters that reduce the number of motile cells. Because of its heterogeneous habitat, the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida needs to swim efficiently under very different environmental conditions. In this paper, we knocked out the stators MotAB and MotCD to investigate their impact on the swimming motility of P. putida.}, language = {en} } @misc{WeberBahrsAlirezaeizanjanietal.2019, author = {Weber, Ariane and Bahrs, Marco and Alirezaeizanjani, Zahra and Zhang, Xingyu and Beta, Carsten and Zaburdaev, Vasily}, title = {Rectification of Bacterial Diffusion in Microfluidic Labyrinths}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {801}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-44122}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-441222}, pages = {11}, year = {2019}, abstract = {In nature as well as in the context of infection and medical applications, bacteria often have to move in highly complex environments such as soil or tissues. Previous studies have shown that bacteria strongly interact with their surroundings and are often guided by confinements. Here, we investigate theoretically how the dispersal of swimming bacteria can be augmented by microfluidic environments and validate our theoretical predictions experimentally. We consider a system of bacteria performing the prototypical run-and-tumble motion inside a labyrinth with square lattice geometry. Narrow channels between the square obstacles limit the possibility of bacteria to reorient during tumbling events to an area where channels cross. Thus, by varying the geometry of the lattice it might be possible to control the dispersal of cells. We present a theoretical model quantifying diffusive spreading of a run-and-tumble random walker in a square lattice. Numerical simulations validate our theoretical predictions for the dependence of the diffusion coefficient on the lattice geometry. We show that bacteria moving in square labyrinths exhibit enhanced dispersal as compared to unconfined cells. Importantly, confinement significantly extends the duration of the phase with strongly non-Gaussian diffusion, when the geometry of channels is imprinted in the density profiles of spreading cells. Finally, in good agreement with our theoretical findings, we observe the predicted behaviors in experiments with E. coli bacteria swimming in a square lattice labyrinth created in amicrofluidic device. Altogether, our comprehensive understanding of bacterial dispersal in a simple two-dimensional labyrinth makes the first step toward the analysis of more complex geometries relevant for real world applications.}, language = {en} } @article{WeberBahrsAlirezaeizanjanietal.2019, author = {Weber, Ariane and Bahrs, Marco and Alirezaeizanjani, Zahra and Zhang, Xingyu and Beta, Carsten and Zaburdaev, Vasily}, title = {Rectification of Bacterial Diffusion in Microfluidic Labyrinths}, series = {Frontiers in Physics}, volume = {7}, journal = {Frontiers in Physics}, publisher = {Frontiers Media}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {2296-424X}, doi = {10.3389/fphy.2019.00148}, pages = {11}, year = {2019}, abstract = {In nature as well as in the context of infection and medical applications, bacteria often have to move in highly complex environments such as soil or tissues. Previous studies have shown that bacteria strongly interact with their surroundings and are often guided by confinements. Here, we investigate theoretically how the dispersal of swimming bacteria can be augmented by microfluidic environments and validate our theoretical predictions experimentally. We consider a system of bacteria performing the prototypical run-and-tumble motion inside a labyrinth with square lattice geometry. Narrow channels between the square obstacles limit the possibility of bacteria to reorient during tumbling events to an area where channels cross. Thus, by varying the geometry of the lattice it might be possible to control the dispersal of cells. We present a theoretical model quantifying diffusive spreading of a run-and-tumble random walker in a square lattice. Numerical simulations validate our theoretical predictions for the dependence of the diffusion coefficient on the lattice geometry. We show that bacteria moving in square labyrinths exhibit enhanced dispersal as compared to unconfined cells. Importantly, confinement significantly extends the duration of the phase with strongly non-Gaussian diffusion, when the geometry of channels is imprinted in the density profiles of spreading cells. Finally, in good agreement with our theoretical findings, we observe the predicted behaviors in experiments with E. coli bacteria swimming in a square lattice labyrinth created in amicrofluidic device. Altogether, our comprehensive understanding of bacterial dispersal in a simple two-dimensional labyrinth makes the first step toward the analysis of more complex geometries relevant for real world applications.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Alirezaeizanjani2020, author = {Alirezaeizanjani, Zahra}, title = {Movement strategies of a multi-mode bacterial swimmer}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-47580}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-475806}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {xix, 111}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Bacteria are one of the most widespread kinds of microorganisms that play essential roles in many biological and ecological processes. Bacteria live either as independent individuals or in organized communities. At the level of single cells, interactions between bacteria, their neighbors, and the surrounding physical and chemical environment are the foundations of microbial processes. Modern microscopy imaging techniques provide attractive and promising means to study the impact of these interactions on the dynamics of bacteria. The aim of this dissertation is to deepen our understanding four fundamental bacterial processes - single-cell motility, chemotaxis, bacterial interactions with environmental constraints, and their communication with neighbors - through a live cell imaging technique. By exploring these processes, we expanded our knowledge on so far unexplained mechanisms of bacterial interactions. Firstly, we studied the motility of the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida (P. putida), which swims through flagella propulsion, and has a complex, multi-mode swimming tactic. It was recently reported that P. putida exhibits several distinct swimming modes - the flagella can push and pull the cell body or wrap around it. Using a new combined phase-contrast and fluorescence imaging set-up, the swimming mode (push, pull, or wrapped) of each run phase was automatically recorded, which provided the full swimming statistics of the multi-mode swimmer. Furthermore, the investigation of cell interactions with a solid boundary illustrated an asymmetry for the different swimming modes; in contrast to the push and pull modes, the curvature of runs in wrapped mode was not affected by the solid boundary. This finding suggested that having a multi-mode swimming strategy may provide further versatility to react to environmental constraints. Then we determined how P. putida navigates toward chemoattractants, i.e. its chemotaxis strategies. We found that individual run modes show distinct chemotactic responses in nutrition gradients. In particular, P. putida cells exhibited an asymmetry in their chemotactic responsiveness; the wrapped mode (slow swimming mode) was affected by the chemoattractant, whereas the push mode (fast swimming mode) was not. These results can be seen as a starting point to understand more complex chemotaxis strategies of multi-mode swimmers going beyond the well-known paradigm of Escherichia coli, that exhibits only one swimming mode. Finally we considered the cell dynamics in a dense population. Besides physical interactions with their neighbors, cells communicate their activities and orchestrate their population behaviors via quorum-sensing. Molecules that are secreted to the surrounding by the bacterial cells, act as signals and regulate the cell population behaviour. We studied P. putida's motility in a dense population by exposing the cells to environments with different concentrations of chemical signals. We found that higher amounts of chemical signals in the surrounding influenced the single-cell behaviourr, suggesting that cell-cell communications may also affect the flagellar dynamics. In summary, this dissertation studies the dynamics of a bacterium with a multi-mode swimming tactic and how it is affected by the surrounding environment using microscopy imaging. The detailed description of the bacterial motility in fundamental bacterial processes can provide new insights into the ecology of microorganisms.}, language = {en} } @misc{AlirezaeizanjaniWaljorHintscheetal.2017, author = {Alirezaeizanjani, Zahra and Waljor, V. and Hintsche, Marius and Beta, Carsten}, title = {How growth conditions affect bacterial chemotaxis responses}, series = {European biophysics journal : with biophysics letters ; an international journal of biophysics}, volume = {46}, journal = {European biophysics journal : with biophysics letters ; an international journal of biophysics}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0175-7571}, pages = {S281 -- S281}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @misc{AlirezaeizanjaniGrossmannPfeiferetal.2020, author = {Alirezaeizanjani, Zahra and Großmann, Robert and Pfeifer, Veronika and Hintsche, Marius and Beta, Carsten}, title = {Chemotaxis strategies of bacteria with multiple run modes}, series = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {22}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-51909}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-519098}, pages = {10}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Bacterial chemotaxis-a fundamental example of directional navigation in the living world-is key to many biological processes, including the spreading of bacterial infections. Many bacterial species were recently reported to exhibit several distinct swimming modes-the flagella may, for example, push the cell body or wrap around it. How do the different run modes shape the chemotaxis strategy of a multimode swimmer? Here, we investigate chemotactic motion of the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida as a model organism. By simultaneously tracking the position of the cell body and the configuration of its flagella, we demonstrate that individual run modes show different chemotactic responses in nutrition gradients and, thus, constitute distinct behavioral states. On the basis of an active particle model, we demonstrate that switching between multiple run states that differ in their speed and responsiveness provides the basis for robust and efficient chemotaxis in complex natural habitats.}, language = {en} } @article{AlirezaeizanjaniGrossmannPfeiferetal.2020, author = {Alirezaeizanjani, Zahra and Großmann, Robert and Pfeifer, Veronika and Hintsche, Marius and Beta, Carsten}, title = {Chemotaxis strategies of bacteria with multiple run modes}, series = {Science advances}, volume = {6}, journal = {Science advances}, number = {22}, publisher = {American Association for the Advancement of Science}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2375-2548}, doi = {10.1126/sciadv.aaz6153}, pages = {8}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Bacterial chemotaxis-a fundamental example of directional navigation in the living world-is key to many biological processes, including the spreading of bacterial infections. Many bacterial species were recently reported to exhibit several distinct swimming modes-the flagella may, for example, push the cell body or wrap around it. How do the different run modes shape the chemotaxis strategy of a multimode swimmer? Here, we investigate chemotactic motion of the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida as a model organism. By simultaneously tracking the position of the cell body and the configuration of its flagella, we demonstrate that individual run modes show different chemotactic responses in nutrition gradients and, thus, constitute distinct behavioral states. On the basis of an active particle model, we demonstrate that switching between multiple run states that differ in their speed and responsiveness provides the basis for robust and efficient chemotaxis in complex natural habitats.}, language = {en} }