Ingmar Riedel-Kruse

Interests

Research

https://riedel-kruse.arizona.edu/

Teaching

https://riedel-kruse.arizona.edu/

Courses

Scholarly Contributions

Journals/Publications

• Riedel-Kruse, I. H., Dunkel, J., Stuart, B. A., Hamby, A. E., Glass, D. S., Skinner, D. J., & Kim, H. (2022). 4-bit adhesion logic enables universal multicellular interface patterning. Nature. doi:10.1038/s41586-022-04944-2
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  Abstract Multicellular systems, from bacterial biofilms to human organs, form interfaces (or boundaries) between different cell collectives to spatially organize versatile functions 1,2 . The evolution of sufficiently descriptive genetic toolkits probably triggered the explosion of complex multicellular life and patterning 3,4 . Synthetic biology aims to engineer multicellular systems for practical applications and to serve as a build-to-understand methodology for natural systems 5–8 . However, our ability to engineer multicellular interface patterns 2,9 is still very limited, as synthetic cell–cell adhesion toolkits and suitable patterning algorithms are underdeveloped 5,7,10–13 . Here we introduce a synthetic cell–cell adhesin logic with swarming bacteria and establish the precise engineering, predictive modelling and algorithmic programming of multicellular interface patterns. We demonstrate interface generation through a swarming adhesion mechanism, quantitative control over interface geometry and adhesion-mediated analogues of developmental organizers and morphogen fields. Using tiling and four-colour-mapping concepts, we identify algorithms for creating universal target patterns. This synthetic 4-bit adhesion logic advances practical applications such as human-readable molecular diagnostics, spatial fluid control on biological surfaces and programmable self-growing materials 5–8,14 . Notably, a minimal set of just four adhesins represents 4 bits of information that suffice to program universal tessellation patterns, implying a low critical threshold for the evolution and engineering of complex multicellular systems 3,5 .
• Riedel-Kruse, I. (2021). Nonlinear delay differential equations and their application to modeling biological networks. Nature Communications.
• Riedel-Kruse, I. (2021). Scientific Inquiry in Middle Schools by combining Computational Thinking, Wet Lab Experiments, and Liquid Handling Robots. Proceedings of the 20th ACM Conference on Interaction Design and Children, 444.
• Kim, H., Jin, X., Glass, D. S., & Riedel-Kruse, I. H. (2020). Engineering and modeling of multicellular morphologies and patterns. Current opinion in genetics & development, 63, 95--102.
• Lam, A., Griffin, J., Loeun, M., Nate, C., Lee, S. A., & Riedel-Kruse, I. (2020). Pac-Euglena: A living cellular Pac-Man meets virtual ghosts. Proceedings of the 38rd Annual ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems.
• Lam, A. T., Ma, J., Barr, C., Lee, S. A., White, A. K., Yu, K., & Riedel-Kruse, I. H. (2019). First-hand, immersive full-body experiences with living cells through interactive museum exhibits (vol 37, pg 1238, 2019). NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY, 37(12), 1521-1521.
• Rackus, D. G., Riedel-Kruse, I. H., & Pamme, N. (2019). "Learning on a chip:" Microfluidics for formal and informal science education. BIOMICROFLUIDICS, 13(4).
• Cira, N. J., Chung, A. M., Denisin, A. K., Sanchez, G. N., Quake, S. R., Riedel-kruse, I. H., & Rensi, S. E. (2015). A biotic game design project for integrated life science and engineering education.. PLoS biology, 13(3), e1002110. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1002110
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  Engaging, hands-on design experiences are key for formal and informal Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Robotic and video game design challenges have been particularly effective in stimulating student interest, but equivalent experiences for the life sciences are not as developed. Here we present the concept of a "biotic game design project" to motivate student learning at the interface of life sciences and device engineering (as part of a cornerstone bioengineering devices course). We provide all course material and also present efforts in adapting the project's complexity to serve other time frames, age groups, learning focuses, and budgets. Students self-reported that they found the biotic game project fun and motivating, resulting in increased effort. Hence this type of design project could generate excitement and educational impact similar to robotics and video games.
• Kim, H., Riedel-kruse, I. H., & Lee, S. A. (2015). A biotic video game smart phone kit for formal and informal biophysics education. Bulletin of the American Physical Society, 2015.
• Ma, R., Klindt, G. S., Riedel-kruse, I. H., Julicher, F., & Friedrich, B. M. (2014). Active phase and amplitude fluctuations of flagellar beating.. Physical review letters, 113(4), 048101. doi:10.1103/physrevlett.113.048101
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  The eukaryotic flagellum beats periodically, driven by the oscillatory dynamics of molecular motors, to propel cells and pump fluids. Small but perceivable fluctuations in the beat of individual flagella have physiological implications for synchronization in collections of flagella as well as for hydrodynamic interactions between flagellated swimmers. Here, we characterize phase and amplitude fluctuations of flagellar bending waves using shape mode analysis and limit-cycle reconstruction. We report a quality factor of flagellar oscillations Q = 38.0 ± 16.7 (mean ± s.e.). Our analysis shows that flagellar fluctuations are dominantly of active origin. Using a minimal model of collective motor oscillations, we demonstrate how the stochastic dynamics of individual motors can give rise to active small-number fluctuations in motor-cytoskeleton systems.

Poster Presentations

• Riedel-Kruse, I., Cimetta, A. D., Howley, E., & Stover, D. A. (2024, November). Cell aggregation laboratory activity for teaching cell-cell adhesion using synthetic biology.. National Association of Biology Teachers. Anaheim, CA.