Regensburg 2010 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 15: Physics of Cells II

BP 15.8: Talk

Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 16:30–16:45, H43

A model for thickness oscillations in protoplasmic droplets of Physarum polycephalum — Markus Radszuweit¹, Harald Engel², and •Markus Bär¹ — ¹Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt, Berlin — ²Technische Universität Berlin

A model for explaining thickness oscillations in protoplasmic droplets in true slime mold physarum polycephalum is proposed and numerical simulations are presented. An autonomous Ca²⁺-oscillator based on the regulation of myosin binding to actin is combined with a two phase mechanical model for a polymer gel. Using Darcy’s law of porous media for the endoplasmic flow field and theory of active elastic gels a full description of the flow, pressure and deformation field is obtained. The nonlocal feedback of this quantities on the reaction-diffusion-advection system of the chemical oscillator leads to the formation of various dynamical patterns like targets, standing or spiral waves.