Dynamics of Physarum Microdroplets – an Example for Mechanochemical Pattern Formation in Active Biological Matter

We consider one prominent example for an active biological fluid, namely the cytoplasm of the true slime mold Physarum polycephalum. We model the cytoskeleton as a solid matrix that together with the cytosol as interstitial fluid constitutes an active poroelastic material and reproduce a large variety of experimentally observed mechanochemical wave forms, e. g. spirals, turbulence, target waves.