Maze-Solving Cells

Moving cells have surprising abilities to navigate efficiently through complex microscale human-engineered mazes. Most often, they follow chemical gradients established by diffusion from a source to a sink. Cells steer towards the steepest gradients and move along the shortest paths towards the source. Occasionally, the gradients are self-generated by the moving cells themselves. While the cells also respond to the same gradients they create, a self-sustained loop is established, which guides the cells towards the shortest path towards exit from confined spaces. Precision measurements of human cell maze-navigation performance could ultimately enhance our capabilities to diagnose, monitor, and treat various diseases that range from inflammation to cancer.

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