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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

The Mechanics of (Poro-)Elastic Contractile Actomyosin Networks As a Model System of the Cell Cytoskeleton
Published on: March 10, 2023
Viscoelasticity of isotropically cross-linked actin networks
R Tharmann1, M M A E Claessens, A R Bausch
1E22-Biophysics, Technische Universität München, James Franck Strasse, 85748 Garching, Germany.
Abstract:
Despite their importance for the proper function of living cells, the physical properties of cross-linked actin networks remain poorly understood as the occurrence of heterogeneities hamper a quantitative physical description. The isotropic homogeneously cross-linked actin network presented here enables us to quantitatively relate the network response to a single filament model by determining the dominating length scale. The frequency dependence of the linear response and nonuniversal form of the nonlinear response reveal the importance of cross-linker unbinding events.
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