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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2025

Forming, Confining, and Observing Microtubule-Based Active Nematics

Forming, Confining, and Observing Microtubule-Based Active Nematics

Published on: January 13, 2023

Light-activated microtubule-based two-dimensional active nematic.

Zahra Zarei¹, John Berezney¹, Alexander Hensley¹

¹The Martin Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454, USA. fraden@brandeis.edu.

|August 23, 2023

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Non-processive opto-K365 motors significantly enhance light-driven microtubule active nematic flows compared to processive opto-K401 motors. This study reveals distinct transient dynamics in defect density versus flow, enabling targeted control of active matter.

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Last Updated: Jul 18, 2025

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Published on: January 13, 2023

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Published on: July 11, 2025

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Soft Matter Physics
Active Matter Physics

Background:

Microtubule-based active nematics are dynamic systems driven by molecular motors.
Light-responsive motors offer external control over active matter dynamics.
Understanding motor properties (processivity) is key to controlling active nematic behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the efficacy of two light-responsive kinesin motors (opto-K401, processive; opto-K365, non-processive) in driving microtubule active nematics.
To characterize the flow and defect dynamics in response to varying light intensities.
To investigate the transient behaviors during transitions between different activity states.

Main Methods:

Utilizing light-responsive kinesin motor clusters (opto-K401 and opto-K365) to generate microtubule active nematics.
Employing microscopy to measure nematic flow speeds and defect densities under controlled illumination.
Analyzing steady-state and transient responses to changes in light intensity.

Main Results:

Opto-K365 motors showed an order of magnitude greater contrast in nematic flow speeds between high and low light conditions compared to opto-K401.
Steady-state flow and defect density were characterized as a function of light intensity for opto-K365 nematics.
Defect density exhibited a slower transient response (up to 10 minutes) compared to flow dynamics (tens of seconds).

Conclusions:

Non-processive opto-K365 motors are more effective than processive opto-K401 motors for light-controlled active nematic dynamics.
A separation exists between the timescales of active flow and structural state recovery.
This work provides a platform for generating targeted dynamical states in active matter using spatiotemporal control.