Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
08:55
Methods of Ex Situ and In Situ Investigations of Structural Transformations: The Case of Crystallization of Metallic Glasses
Published on: June 7, 2018
Coarsening and accelerated equilibration in mass-conserving heterogeneous nucleation
1Deptartments of Biomathematics and Mathematics, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1766, USA.
Summary
This study models ligand-receptor binding dynamics, revealing two distinct cluster size distributions. Some clusters unexpectedly reach equilibrium faster than others.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Chemical Kinetics
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Ligand-receptor interactions are crucial for cellular processes.
- Understanding binding dynamics in confined cellular environments is complex.
- Existing models may not fully capture heterogeneous nucleation effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a mass-conserving heterogeneous nucleation model for ligand-receptor binding dynamics.
- To investigate the long-time behavior of ligand-receptor cluster sizes.
- To explore mechanisms for differing cluster equilibration rates.
Main Methods:
- Development of a theoretical model for mass-conserving heterogeneous nucleation.
- Analysis of ligand-receptor cluster-size distributions under varying dissociation rates.
- Simulation of cluster coarsening dynamics over time.
Main Results:
- Identified two distinct long-time ligand-receptor cluster-size distributions.
- Observed metastable distributions dependent on initial conditions.
- Discovered specific parameters where a subset of clusters equilibrates rapidly.
- Demonstrated that cluster sizes can plateau before reaching equilibrium.
Conclusions:
- The model provides a quantitative framework for ligand-binding kinetics.
- Heterogeneous nucleation influences cluster size distribution and dynamics.
- A mechanism for accelerated equilibration in specific ligand-receptor clusters was identified.
- Results suggest complex, non-uniform equilibration pathways in cellular systems.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Recrystallization: Solid–Solution Equilibria
Recrystallization is a purification technique used to separate impurities from solid compounds. In this technique, no chemical reactions occur. Instead, it exploits physical properties only, specifically, the solubility differences between the desired compound and impurities, either at a single temperature or at different temperatures, and under other selected conditions. The solid-solution equilibrium (solubility equilibrium) of each component in the solution represents a binary phase...
01:25Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization
Crystallization is a phase transformation process in which crystals are precipitated from a supersaturated solution or formed from other sources. During crystallization, atoms or molecules arrange themselves into a well-defined, rigid crystal lattice to minimize energy.
Initiating crystallization involves manipulating the concentration of the solute and the temperature of the solution. Since crystal growth occurs when the ratio of concentration and solubility of the solute in the solvent – the...
Initiating crystallization involves manipulating the concentration of the solute and the temperature of the solution. Since crystal growth occurs when the ratio of concentration and solubility of the solute in the solvent – the...
01:12Precipitation Processes
The experimental conditions in a gravimetric analysis should be optimized to maximize the particle size and purity of the obtained precipitate. Ideally, the concentration of the precipitating reagent should be low with effective stirring to maintain low relative supersaturation for the growth of large crystals. In homogeneous precipitation, the precipitant is slowly generated by a chemical reaction in the solution to avoid local reagent excesses. For example, urea decomposes gradually to...
01:23Equilibrium Conditions for a Particle
When an object is in equilibrium, it is either at rest or moving with a constant velocity. There are two types of equilibrium: static and dynamic. Static equilibrium occurs when an object is at rest, while dynamic equilibrium occurs when an object is moving with a constant velocity. In both cases, there must be a balance of forces acting on the object.
To understand the concept of equilibrium, let us first consider the forces acting on an object. When different forces act on an object, they can...
To understand the concept of equilibrium, let us first consider the forces acting on an object. When different forces act on an object, they can...
01:16Precipitate Formation and Particle Size Control
In precipitation gravimetry, the precipitating agent should react specifically or selectively with the analyte. While a specific reagent reacts with the analyte alone, a selective reagent can react with a limited number of chemical species.
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
01:07Conservation of Mass in Fixed, Nondeforming Control Volume
The principle of conservation of mass is fundamental in fluid dynamics and is crucial for analyzing flow within fixed control volumes, such as pipes or ducts. This principle states that the total mass within a control volume remains constant unless altered by the inflow or outflow of mass through the control surfaces. This results in a vital relationship for steady, incompressible flow where the mass entering a system equals the mass leaving it.
In the case of a sewer pipe, which can be modeled...
In the case of a sewer pipe, which can be modeled...