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Waves and oscillation patterns are found at all levels of biological organization, from cellular to supracellular and even social organisms. For instance, the rhythmic beating of the heart is driven by intricate spatiotemporal distribution of the oscillatory signals in cardiac pacemaker cells, while Beta-cells in the pancreas release insulin in periodic bursting patterns, corresponding to oscillations in calcium concentrations. Similarly, amoeboid cells and Oocytes exhibit wave-like propagation patterns correlated with biological activities.

 

Research in our group is multidisciplinary and uses a combination of experimental, theoretical/mathematical modeling, and computational approaches to understand how simple chemical interactions give rise to dynamic spatial and temporal behavior, such as oscillations and propagating waves patterns. The Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction is used as a surrogate to experimentally and computationally explore the dynamic and nonlinear behavior of chemical systems, with a particular focus on self-organization, pattern formation, and reaction-diffusion phenomena.

 

Current research project involves characterizing wave propagation dynamics in the BZ reaction system as a function of varying environmental conditions, such as chemical composition and temperature. The Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ), a paradigmatic oscillating chemical reaction, involves the oxidation of an organic compound by a bromate ion in the presence of a metal ion catalyst. Variations in the BZ reaction mixture and environmental conditions, such as temperature, affect oscillation and the propagating wave dynamics. Our goal in current project is to use the BZ reaction system to conduct experimental and computational study to understand the mechanisms involved in generating the BZ propagating wave dynamics as a function of the reaction mixture and temperature.

 

The next step is to demonstrate how the BZ composition generating the varying propagating wave patterns influences the spontaneous propulsion of particles such as BZ droplets and polymer particles covalently incorporated with the BZ catalyst. This research work can potentially transform our understanding of how propagating waves confined in spaces (like in droplets or cells) continuously transform energy to power various intrinsic biological transport or signaling mechanisms and processes. Demonstration and characterizing self-propulsion of particles’ motion patterns driven by BZ reaction will serve as a model that exemplifies autonomous model particles. Understanding the mechanism involved can provide insight into the processes that led to the emergence of biological complexity and possibly provide an understanding of the mechanism that bridges the gap between protocells, biological systems, and other locomotive agents.