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Updated: Jan 8, 2026

Using Microfluidics and Fluorescence Microscopy to Study the Assembly Dynamics of Single Actin Filaments and Bundles
Published on: May 5, 2022
Active filaments on curved surfaces: from single filaments to dilute suspensions
Giulia Janzen1, Euan D Mackay2, Rastko Sknepnek2,3
1Department of Theoretical Physics, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain. dmatoz@ucm.es.
Abstract:
Curvature plays a central organizational role in active polymer dynamics. Using large-scale Langevin-dynamics simulations, we study active semiflexible filaments confined to smooth curved surfaces and map how curvature, bending rigidity, and activity interact. We find geodesic alignment, curvature lensing, and curvature-induced trapping. In particular, regions of negative Gaussian curvature localize filaments and hinder global surface exploration. These results show how surface geometry can be used to control the organization and transport of active matter on curved substrates.
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