Active matter from living polymers: The FtsZ paradigm

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Materials Science
• Polymer Physics

Background:

• The bacterial cytokinetic protein FtsZ, a homolog of tubulin, self-assembles into dynamic filaments.
• Understanding active matter mechanics is crucial for designing novel materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reframe FtsZ as a living-polymer route to motor-free active matter.
• To explore FtsZ's mechanical output and its applications in soft materials.

Main Methods:

• Experimental studies on FtsZ assemblies at interfaces and in bulk composites.
• Theoretical modeling using polymer physics, instability frameworks, and soft glassy rheology.

Main Results:

• FtsZ filaments consume GTP to inject active stress into soft environments.
• Observed phenomena include extensile remodeling, strain-dependent softening, and activity-controlled fluidization.
• Mechanical polarity is influenced by confinement and boundary conditions.

Conclusions:

• FtsZ serves as a minimal, tunable actuator for creating reconfigurable nonequilibrium mechanics.
• This work advances the design principles for active soft materials and biohybrid matter.