Applied Maths Seminar: Fauci -- Fluid dynamic models of spirochete motility

Spirochetes are a group of helically-shaped bacteria with a fascinating mechanism of
swimming.  Unlike bacteria such as E.  Coli that swim due to the rotation of helical
flagella emanating from their cell body, the rotating flagella of spirochetes do not
visibly project outward from their cell body.  Rather, they reside within a periplasmic
space between the cell body and an outer sheath, and are wound around the cell body.  We
will describe models that investigate the mechanisms of spirochete motility.  In
addition, we examine the fundamental fluid dynamics of superhelical structures
translating and rotating in a Stokes fluid.  Coordinated laboratory and computational
experiments will be discussed.  

http://www.maths.usyd.edu.au/u/AppliedSeminar/abstracts/2008/fauci.html