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Competing instabilities reveal how to rationally design and control active crosslinked gels

Author

Listed:
  • Bibi Najma

    (Brandeis University)

  • Minu Varghese

    (Brandeis University
    University of Michigan)

  • Lev Tsidilkovski

    (Brandeis University)

  • Linnea Lemma

    (Brandeis University
    University of California at Santa Barbara
    Princeton University)

  • Aparna Baskaran

    (Brandeis University)

  • Guillaume Duclos

    (Brandeis University)

Abstract

How active stresses generated by molecular motors set the large-scale mechanics of the cell cytoskeleton remains poorly understood. Here, we combine experiments and theory to demonstrate how the emergent properties of a biomimetic active crosslinked gel depend on the properties of its microscopic constituents. We show that an extensile nematic elastomer exhibits two distinct activity-driven instabilities, spontaneously bending in-plane or buckling out-of-plane depending on its composition. Molecular motors play a dual antagonistic role, fluidizing or stiffening the gel depending on the ATP concentration. We demonstrate how active and elastic stresses are set by each component, providing estimates for the active gel theory parameters. Finally, activity and elasticity were manipulated in situ with light-activable motor proteins, controlling the direction of the instability optically. These results highlight how cytoskeletal stresses regulate the self-organization of living matter and set the foundations for the rational design and optogenetic control of active materials.

Suggested Citation

  • Bibi Najma & Minu Varghese & Lev Tsidilkovski & Linnea Lemma & Aparna Baskaran & Guillaume Duclos, 2022. "Competing instabilities reveal how to rationally design and control active crosslinked gels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-34089-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34089-9
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