Microfluidic compartmentalization of diffusively coupled oscillators in multisomes induces a novel synchronization scenario.

Abstract

Stable cell-like multisomes encapsulating the chemical oscillator Belousov-Zhabotinsky were engineered and organized in a linear network of diffusively-coupled chemical oscillators by using microfluidics. The multi-compartmentalization and the spatial configuration resulted in a new global synchronization scenario. After an initial induction interval, all the oscillators started to pulsate in phase with a halved period with respect to the natural one.