Elucidating the consequences of heterogeneous activity in an actin based liquid crystal

ORAL

Abstract

Active matter is generally studied in cases in which activity is spatially uniform. However, many of the biological systems that inspire this line of research, such as forces in a cell, feature activity that is highly spatially inhomogeneous. While generating spatially inhomogeneous stress has historically been difficult, here we present an experimental system in which spatial control of myosin activity in an actin liquid crystal allows for patterning of activity within the sample. Using this system, and comparing with hydrodynamic simulations, we show that patterned activity has the potential to direct the motion of +1/2 defects within a liquid crystal and constrain fluid flow.

–

Presenters

  • Steven Redford

    University of Chicago, James Franck Institute, University of Chicago

Authors

  • Steven Redford

    University of Chicago, James Franck Institute, University of Chicago

  • Rui Zhang

    University of Chicago, Institute for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago

  • Nitin Kumar

    University of Chicago, James Franck Institute, University of Chicago

  • Paul Ruijgrok

    Stanford University

  • Ali Mozaffari

    University of Chicago, Institute for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago

  • Aaron Dinner

    University of Chicago

  • Vincenzo Vitelli

    University of Chicago, Univ of Chicago, James Franck Institute and Department of Physics, University of Chicago, The James Franck Institute and Department of Physics, University of Chicago

  • Zev Bryant

    Stanford University

  • Juan De Pablo

    University of Chicago, Chemical Eng., University of Chicago, The Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Institute for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Institute for Molecular Engineering, Argonne National Laboratory

  • Margaret Gardel

    University of Chicago, Department of Physics, University of Chicago, Physics, The University of Chicago, James Franck Institute, University of Chicago