Creation and annihilation of topological defects are prevalent in active materials. It is now shown that in living systems with nematic order, polar propulsion breaks mirror symmetry during these processes.

Creation and annihilation of topological defects are prevalent in active materials. It is now shown that in living systems with nematic order, polar propulsion breaks mirror symmetry during these processes. ↧ Irreversibility and symmetry breaking in the creation and annihilat... Nature Physics - Creation and annihilation of topological defects are prevalent in active materials. It is now shown that in living systems with nematic order, polar propulsion breaks mirror...