Spatio-temporal patterning of extensile active stresses in microtubule-based active fluids.

ABSTRACT: Microtubule-based active fluids exhibit turbulent-like autonomous flows, which are driven by the molecular motor powered motion of filamentous constituents. Controlling active stresses in space and time is an essential prerequisite for controlling the intrinsically chaotic dynamics of extensile active fluids. We design single-headed kinesin molecular motors that exhibit optically enhanced clustering and thus enable precise and repeatable spatial and temporal control of extensile active stresses. Such motors enable rapid, reversible switching between flowing and quiescent states. In turn, spatio-temporal patterning of the active stress controls the evolution of the ubiquitous bend instability of extensile active fluids and determines its critical length dependence. Combining optically contr

SUBMITTER: Lemma LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10165807 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature