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Pattern formation, localized and running pulsation on active spherical membranes.

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Cell membrane activity, driven by actin-myosin networks, can cause shape changes and instability. This research models how active forces lead to membrane pattern formation and pulsations in cell-like structures.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Biophysics
  • Soft matter physics

Background:

  • The actin-myosin cortex drives cell membrane dynamics, enabling functions like motility and division.
  • Membrane-bound proteins interact with membrane curvature and nucleate actin growth.
  • Actin polymerization and cortical tension influence cell shape and mechanical responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanical instabilities of a spherical membrane coupled to an active actin-myosin cortex.
  • To model pattern formation and dynamic behaviors like pulsations driven by cortical activity.
  • To explore the conditions under which membrane activity overcomes stabilizing factors.

Main Methods:

  • Linear stability analysis of coupled field equations.
  • Numerical calculations to simulate membrane dynamics.
  • Phase diagrams to map different regimes of instability and pattern formation.

Main Results:

  • Active force generation can destabilize a spherical membrane when it overcomes surface tension and bending rigidity.
  • Instability leads to phenomena such as pattern formation, localized pulsations, and pole-to-pole running pulsations.
  • Results are presented via phase diagrams and field evolution simulations.

Conclusions:

  • The interplay between active cortical forces and membrane properties can drive complex shape dynamics.
  • These findings are relevant for understanding living cell mechanics and can be tested in artificial cell systems.