Cilia in Focus

Motile cilia are basic microactuators in cell biology that beat cyclically to transport fluid across the cell surface. They serve diverse biological functions from locomotion and feeding in microorganisms to transport of luminal fluids in higher organisms, including humans. Here, I will discuss the organization of ciliated organs from a physics perspective, whereby I attempt to untangle the intricate interplay between morphology, activity, and mechanics that lead to robust biological function. I will comment on the broad implications of this work to areas ranging from marine ecology to human health.