4TH NORDIC NEUROSCIENCE MEETING 2024

PhD Research Fellow in Functional characterisation of ctenophore neurons (256205) | University of Bergen

Job title: PhD Research Fellow in Functional characterisation of ctenophore neurons (256205), Employer: University of Bergen, Deadline: Saturday, February 3, 2024

Did Neurons Evolve Twice?

Tracing the history of the earliest animals offers clues to whether the birth of the neuron was a one-time event

Omnidirectional propulsion in a metachronal swimmer

Author summary Metachronal swimming—the sequential, coordinated beating of appendages arranged in a row—exists across a wide range of sizes, from unicellular organisms (micrometers) to marine crustaceans (tens of centimeters). While metachronal swimming is known to be scalable and efficient, the level of maneuverability and agility afforded by this strategy is not well understood. This study explores the remarkable 3D maneuverability of ctenophores (comb jellies), and the appendage control strategies they use to achieve it. Ctenophores have eight rows of appendages (instead of the one or two found in crustaceans and other organisms). This higher number of appendages, their distribution along the body, and the independent frequency control between paired rows enables near-omnidirectional swimming and turning performance, placing ctenophores among the most maneuverable swimmers. We use experiments and mathematical modeling to explore both the real and theoretical performance landscape of the ctenophore body plan, and show that ctenophores are capable of executing tight turns at high speeds in nearly any plane. This omnidirectional swimming capability gives insight into the ecology and behavior of an important taxonomic group, and shows the potential of metachronal swimming as a source of design inspiration for robotic vehicles (particularly those that must navigate complex environments).