Biomathematics Seminar Series - Henry Shum (Oct. 6, 2026)

Speaker: Henry Shum (Appl. Math, Waterloo)

Title: Modelling motility and chemical signalling in microorganisms and microrobots

Abstract: Mathematical models often aid not only in quantifying the effects of various parameters in an experiment but in describing and explaining qualitatively different classes of behaviour that could emerge. We highlight a few examples related to the patterns of motility of microorganisms and artificial cells that communicate through chemical signalling to exhibit “quorum-sensing” using a very simple chemical regulatory network. In particular, we show that the shape of a flagellated bacterium and the rigidity of its hook and flagellar filament affect hydrodynamic interactions and determine whether the bacterium tends to swim near surfaces or away from them. Using the same framework for the hydrodynamics, we also briefly discuss other applications, such as active droplet suspensions and magnetically actuated microrobots.