The paradoxical material properties of living matter

This talk will focus on the mechanics of the polymeric load-bearing structures that support living matter: cells have a fibrous cytoskeleton, whilst tissues are supported by the extracellular matrix. Living matter uses dynamic materials in order to combine mechanical resistance with the ability to adapt and self-heal. Whereas synthetic transient networks readily fracture due to the inherent force sensitivity of dynamic bonds, biological networks are surprisingly strong. How does biological matter achieve the ability to flow without risking mechanical failure? I will discuss our recent findings on the nonlinear time-dependent mechanical properties and rupture of passive and active biopolymer networks reconstituted from purified components, which begin to shed some light on this question.