Living proof of effective defects

• Published in: Nature physics Vol. 17; no. 2; pp. 172 - 173
• Main Authors: Fardin, M.-A., Ladoux, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group 01.02.2021
• Subjects: Anisotropy; Bacteria; Crystal defects; Crystals; Defects; Filaments; Friction; Liquid crystals; Morphology; Nematic crystals; Physics

A class of biological matter including elongated cells and filaments can be understood in the framework of active nematic liquid crystals. Within these systems, topological defects emerge and give rise to remarkable collective behaviours.