Berlin 2005 – scientific programme

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AKB: Biologische Physik

AKB 25: Active Networks and Cell Motility

AKB 25.3: Talk

Friday, March 4, 2005, 16:00–16:15, TU H2013

Simulation of collective filament dynamics in motility assays for motor proteins — •P. Kraikivski, R. Lipowsky, and J. Kierfeld — MPI für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung, 14424 Potsdam

We present a model for the simulation of filament dynamics in two-dimensional motility assays of motor proteins and cytoskeletal filaments. The model contains deformable filaments that move under the influence of forces from molecular motors and thermal noise. Motor tails are attached to the substrate and modeled as elastic springs, motor heads perform a directed walk with a given force-velocity relation. Filament interactions are repulsive and characterized by a crossing probability. We study the collective filament dynamics and pattern formation as function of the motor and filament density, the force-velocity characteristics and detachment rate of motor proteins and the filament interaction. In particular, we investigate the formation and statistics of filament clusters due to blocking effects if filament crossing is inhibited.