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Related Concept Videos

Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility01:13

Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility

Actin is a family of globular proteins that are highly abundant in eukaryotic cells. It makes up approximately 1-5% of total cell protein concentration. Actin monomers polymerize to form a complex network of polarized filaments, the actin cytoskeleton, that plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, including cell motility, division, endocytosis, and metastasis of cancer cells.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate.
Planar Rigid-Body Motion01:22

Planar Rigid-Body Motion

Understanding the movement of a rigid body in planar motion involves recognizing that every particle within this body is traversing a path that maintains a consistent distance from a specific plane. This concept is fundamental in the study of physics and mechanical engineering, and it allows us to comprehend better how objects move in space.
Planar motion is typically divided into three distinct categories. The first is rectilinear translation, demonstrated by a subway train that moves along...
Formation of Higher-order Actin Filaments01:11

Formation of Higher-order Actin Filaments

The polymerization of G-actin monomers into filamentous F-actin is a multi-step process. Once the F-actins are formed, they can bundle together in different arrangements to form higher-order networks and regulate cellular functions. Common examples include the formation of lamellipodia and filopodia at the cell's leading edge by actin reorganization in a migrating cell. The microvilli on the brush border epithelial cells are also formed through the F-actin network.
The high-order actin networks...
Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation01:31

Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation

Cells migrating in response to external stimuli form lamellipodia, which are thin membrane protrusions supported by a mesh of linked, branched, or unbranched actin filaments. These actin filaments interact with myosin motor proteins, creating the dynamic actomyosin complex within the cytoskeleton. Contractility, or the ability to generate contractile stress, is inherent to the actomyosin complex. It helps cells detect the stiffness of the surrounding ECM and exert contractile force for...
Actin Treadmilling01:18

Actin Treadmilling

Actin filaments undergo polymerization and depolymerization from either end. The polymerization and depolymerization rates depend on the cytosolic concentration of free G-actins. The polymerization rate is generally higher at the plus or barbed end, while the depolymerization rate is higher at the minus or pointed end. At a steady state, critical concentration describes the concentration of free G-actin monomers at which the polymerization rate at the plus end is equal to that of the...
Mechanism of Ciliary Motion01:05

Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

The ciliary structures were first seen in 1647 by Antonie Leeuwenhoek while observing the protozoans. In lower organisms, these appendages are responsible for cell movement, while in higher organisms, these appendages help in the movement of the extracellular fluids within the body cavities.
The cilia are made up of microtubules in a 9+2 arrangement, with nine microtubule doublet ring bundles, surrounding a pair of central singlet microtubule bundles. The doublet microtubule bundles are...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Forming, Confining, and Observing Microtubule-Based Active Nematics
08:37

Forming, Confining, and Observing Microtubule-Based Active Nematics

Published on: January 13, 2023

Spontaneous motion in hierarchically assembled active matter.

Tim Sanchez1, Daniel T N Chen, Stephen J DeCamp

  • 1Martin Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454, USA.

Nature
|November 9, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers created active biomimetic materials from microtubule bundles. These self-assembling active materials exhibit autonomous motility and unique fluid dynamics, unlike passive materials.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Materials Science
  • Soft Matter Physics

Background:

  • Cells use molecular motors for mechanical tasks, inspiring biomimetic active materials.
  • Active materials, unlike equilibrium systems, can exhibit autonomous motion and self-organization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To hierarchically assemble far-from-equilibrium analogues of conventional materials using microtubule bundles.
  • To investigate the collective properties and emergent behaviors of these active materials.

Main Methods:

  • Hierarchical assembly of extensile microtubule bundles.
  • Formation of percolating active networks and active nematic liquid crystals within emulsion droplets.

Main Results:

  • Active microtubule networks exhibit internally driven chaotic flows, instabilities, and enhanced transport.
  • Active emulsions display autonomous motility, surface adsorption, and controlled flows via fractures and defect dynamics.

Conclusions:

  • Assemblages of active microscopic objects display distinct collective biomimetic properties compared to inanimate materials.
  • Development of a theoretical framework is needed for engineering far-from-equilibrium material properties.