Modeling composite cytoskeletal networks using effective medium theory

ORAL

Abstract

The mechanical response of most eukaryotic cells is due to their cytoskeleton, a polymeric scaffold made up of two major types of biopolymers, actin filaments (F-actin) and microtubules, which have very different mechanical properties. The cytoskeleton is responsible for a number of cellular functions including maintaining cell shape, rigidity, and facilitating movement. Here we seek to investigate, understand, and predict the structure-function properties of engineered cytoskeletal scaffolds with tunable mechanics. We study composite networks of F-actin and microtubules using an effective medium theory, and characterize their mechanical response using rigidity percolation theory. We obtain the shear rigidity of these networks as a function of the concentrations of F-actin and microtubules, the type of crosslinking, and the concentration of the crosslinkers. Our results may help to elucidate the design principles of smart biopolymer composites with adaptive mechanical properties.

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Presenters

  • Jacob Wales

    Rochester Institute of Technology

Authors

  • Jacob Wales

    Rochester Institute of Technology

  • Shea Ricketts

    University of San Diego, Physics, University of San Diego

  • Leila Farhadi

    University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

  • Michael Rust

    University of Chicago, Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology, University of chicago

  • Jennifer Ross

    University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Physics, University of Massachusetts Amherst

  • Rae Robertson-Anderson

    University of San Diego, Physics, University of San Diego, Physics and Biophysics, University of San Diego

  • Moumita Das

    School of Physics and Astronomy, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology, physics, Rochester Instituted of Technology, Department of Physics, Rochester institute of technology