Self-Organization of Cytoskeletal Structures (B02)

• Subject Area: Biophysics ; Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: from 2010 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 111166240

In this theoretical project, we will investigate how self-organization of cytoskeletal structures is regulated by mechanical forces, geometric confinement, and chemical signals. Specifically, we will develop agent-based simulations to study how the collective dynamics in the actin gliding assay is controlled by the interaction between motors and filaments. Moreover, we will study active cytoskeletal systems confined to elastically deformable vesicles. In parallel we will also analyse the transport of molecular motors along cytoskeletal structures. In particular, we will investigate the role of crowding effects, multiple types of molecular motors as well as distinct types of molecular tracks on the transport properties.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 863: Forces in Biomolecular Systems
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität München (TUM)
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Erwin Frey