“Motile cells migrate directionally in electric fields. This behavior—galvanotaxis—is important in many physiological phenomena. Individual fish keratocytes migrate to the cathode, while inhibition of PI3-Kinase (PI3K) reverses single cells to the anode. Uninhibited cell groups move to the cathode. Surprisingly, groups of PI3K-inhibited cells exhibit bidirectional behavior: Large groups move to the cathode, while small groups move to the anode. A mechanical model suggests that a tug-of-war between the outer and inner cells directs the cell groups.”

Find the paper and full list of authors in Cell Biology.