Mechanics of bundled semiflexible polymer networks

Lieleg, O.; Claessens, M. M. A. E.; Heussinger, Claus; Frey, Erwin and Bausch, A. R. (August 2007): Mechanics of bundled semiflexible polymer networks. In: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 99, No. 8: 088102-1

Abstract

While actin bundles are used by living cells for structural fortification, the microscopic origin of the elasticity of bundled networks is not understood. Here, we show that above a critical concentration of the actin binding protein fascin, a solution of actin filaments organizes into a pure network of bundles. While the elasticity of weakly cross-linked networks is dominated by the affine deformation of tubes, the network of bundles can be fully understood in terms of nonaffine bending undulations.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Form of publication: Publisher's Version
• Faculties: Physics
• Subjects: 500 Science > 530 Physics
• ISSN: 0031-9007
• Place of Publication: ONE PHYSICS ELLIPSE, COLLEGE PK, MD 20740-3844 USA
• Language: English