Regensburg 2004 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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AKB: Biologische Physik

AKB 10: Cytoskeleton and Polymer Networks

AKB 10.3: Hauptvortrag

Montag, 8. März 2004, 10:30–11:00, H40

The Cytoskeleton: A Model System for Stiff Polymers — •Erwin Frey — Abteilung Theorie, Hahn-Meitner-Institut, Glienicker Strasse 100, D-14109 Berlin

The structure responsible for the extraordinary mechanical properties of cells is the cytoskeleton, a rigid yet flexible and dynamic network of protein fibers, combined with a variety of associated regulatory proteins, whose tasks range from passive cross-linking and active transport to the regulation of biochemical processes. Due to their enormous stiffness, the physics of cytoskeletal filaments is fundamentally different from the physics of synthetic polymers like polyethylene. It is determined by a subtle interplay between entropic and energetic contributions. Over the past years novel interesting concepts of polymer physics have been established. We will discuss the statistical mechanics and dynamics of single filaments and show how the theoretical predictions can be confirmed by fluorescence microscopy on single F-actin filaments. Building on the physics of single filaments we will give a detailed theoretical model for the viscoelasticity of solutions and the complex micro-mechanics of crosslinked networks.