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Updated: May 4, 2026

Sandwich-like Microenvironments to Harness Cell/Material Interactions
Published on: August 4, 2015
Transient assembly of active materials fueled by a chemical reaction
Job Boekhoven1, Wouter E Hendriksen1, Ger J M Koper1
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 136, 2628 BL Delft, Netherlands.
Abstract:
Fuel-driven self-assembly of actin filaments and microtubules is a key component of cellular organization. Continuous energy supply maintains these transient biomolecular assemblies far from thermodynamic equilibrium, unlike typical synthetic systems that spontaneously assemble at thermodynamic equilibrium. Here, we report the transient self-assembly of synthetic molecules into active materials, driven by the consumption of a chemical fuel. In these materials, reaction rates and fuel levels, instead of equilibrium composition, determine properties such as lifetime, stiffness, and self-regeneration capability. Fibers exhibit strongly nonlinear behavior including stochastic collapse and simultaneous growth and shrinkage, reminiscent of microtubule dynamics.
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