Follow that Chemical!

Like moths to a flame, cells find certain substances irresistible. Minute changes in the quantity of a chemical around them automatically cause these human cancer cells to move in the direction where the concentration is highest. This process, called chemotaxis, is central to everything from immune responses, wound healing and the spreading of cancer. The same action in reverse also helps cells to escape dangerous substances. In this instance, the chemical is most abundant where the pipette (triangular grey shape) is leaking into the surrounding fluid. But by manipulating the function of specific genes scientists can disrupt cells' abilities to detect concentrations and therefore move towards the centre. Uncovering the secrets of chemotaxis has clinical significance, by helping to limit the spread of infections, for example. And it also gives you an icebreaker for when you next meet a microbiologist. What are cells' favourite way to travel? Answer: By chemo-taxis.

Written by Jan Piotrowski

Jan Piotrowski

Writer

A recent Imperial College graduate with a Masters in Science Communication, Jan now works as a freelance science communicator. His interests focus on neuroscience, psychology and the environment.

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• Video by Yulia Artemenko
• Johns Hopkins Medicine, USA
• Originally published under a Creative Commons Licence (BY 4.0)
• Research published in Nature Communications, October 2014