Regensburg 2025 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 11: Cytoskeleton

BP 11.1: Invited Talk

Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 09:30–10:00, H44

Network connectivity determines the mechanisms responsible for cytoskeletal elasticity — •Martin Lenz — Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, LPTMS, 91405, Orsay, France — PMMH, CNRS, ESPCI Paris, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Cité, F-75005, Paris, France

Much of the cell's mechanics is dictated by the properties of its cytoskeleton, a dynamic collection of semiflexible filaments. Here we review both old and new results on the emergence of its large-scale elasticity from the filaments' individual mechanical properties. We emphasize the role of the network's connectivity in determining the underlying physical mechanism. At high connectivity or under high stress, the tensile strength of the filaments dominate. Moderately coordinated networks, on the other hand, are governed by the filaments' bending elasticity. Finally, we discuss the very low coordination of branched actin networks, and argue that it implies that interfilament contacts play a major role in its response. This makes the mechanics of these networks analogous to that of a ball of unspun sheep's wool under compression.

Keywords: biopolymers; soft matter; actin; intermediate filaments