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Area of Science:

  • Physics
  • Biophysics
  • Statistical Mechanics

Background:

  • Stochasticity is inherent in biological interactions, but its large-scale effects are unclear.
  • Understanding random forces in biological systems is crucial for molecular motors and cell adhesion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how reciprocal stochastic interactions influence the dynamics of active suspensions.
  • To determine if random fluctuations can enhance the diffusion of external particles.

Main Methods:

  • Developed a lattice model with pairwise dynamics that minimally break detailed balance.
  • Derived a coarse-grained dynamical theory for spatiotemporal density fluctuations.
  • Computed the self-diffusion coefficient of a tracer particle in the active fluid.

Main Results:

  • Reciprocal, fluctuating interactions create active suspensions.
  • These suspensions enhance the diffusion of an external tracer particle.
  • An elevated effective temperature was observed at short wavelengths.

Conclusions:

  • Purely reciprocal stochastic interactions offer a novel mechanism for enhanced diffusivity.
  • This provides a generic route to enhanced diffusion in dense, nonequilibrium suspensions.
  • Highlights the significant impact of stochasticity on biological system dynamics.