Self-Driven Cytoskeleton Active Matter: long range dynamics through viscoelastic properties

by Dr. Alexandra Tayar

Dept. of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Inst

at Biological and soft-matter physics

Thu, 05 Jun 2025, 12:10
Sacta-Rashi Building for Physics (54), room 207

Abstract

Active forces play critical roles in living organisms and bioinspired synthetic materials by enabling properties such as adaptability and reconfigurability. In biological systems, molecular motor-cytoskeleton interactions drive diverse processes, from intracellular transport to embryonic development, often characterized by flow states ranging from local currents to long-range coordinated streaming. However, elucidating how systems transition between these dynamic states remains challenging. Inspired by nature's nonequilibrium mechanisms, we assemble and study a composite material combining an elastic polymeric network with a locally driven active fluid to replicate biological spatiotemporal dynamics. Specifically, we introduce a platform comprising cytoskeleton-molecular motors active fluids embedded within an entangled DNA-based viscoelastic network. This system allows systematic exploration of how mechanical feedback influences transitions from chaotic, short-range flows to synchronized, global oscillations. By systematically varying network elasticity, active stress, and boundary conditions, we identify transitions from chaotic local flows to globally synchronized states. Our results demonstrate that polymer length distribution critically controls the emergence of coherent flows, while increased activity transitions the system from a semi-dilute to an entangled regime. Additionally, confinement within microfluidic geometries reveals the significant influence of boundary conditions on flow modes. These insights deepen our understanding of active solids dynamics and provide design principles for advanced biomimetic materials.

Created on 28-05-2025 by Feingold, Mario (mario)
Updaded on 28-05-2025 by Feingold, Mario (mario)