Collective Motion of the Cellular Slime Molds

- A Soft Interface Emerging from Motile Coupled Oscillators -

Abstract

The behavior of a simple coupled oscillator model for a reaction-diffusion-chemotaxis system is examined wish respect to the morphogenesis of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. We explain how the intrinsic difference in the oscillation frequency of secreted chemoattractant gives rise to an anterior-posterior polarity which could drive the migration of a pseudoplasmodium. The phase locking and migration of oscillators and their implication to a phenomenological soft-interface are discussed.