Dresden 2011 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 6: Statistical Physics of Biological Systems II (joint DY, BP)

BP 6.9: Talk

Monday, March 14, 2011, 16:15–16:30, HÜL 186

Active Transport and Cluster Formation on Filament Networks — •Maren Westkott¹, Philip Greulich², and Ludger Santen¹ — ¹Department of Theoretical Physics, Saarland University, 66041 Saarbrücken, Germany — ²Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JZ, UK

We introduce a model for active transport on inhomogeneous networks embedded in a diffusive environment which is motivated by vesicular transport on actin filaments. In the presence of a hard-core interaction, particle clusters are observed that exhibit an algebraically decaying distribution in a large parameter regime, indicating the existence of clusters on all scales. The scale-free behavior can be understood by a mechanism promoting preferential attachment of particles to large clusters.

We also show that, by applying confining boundary conditions, a self-organization of the network toward a polarized structure is induced, even without explicit regulation and interactions. The polarity, can lead to separation of particle species adjusting to the enclosing geometry. The underlying mechanism can be understood by a linear theory similar to electrostatics. Finally we are discussing active transport phenomena on realistic cellular structures.

[1] P. Greulich and L. Santen, Eur. Phys. J. E 32, 191-208 (2010)