Physics Colloquium
Friday, April 29th, 2005, 4:00 P.M.

David Weitz

Department of Physics, Harvard University

Composite Actin Networks: How a Cell Holds it Together.

This talk discusses the mechanical properties of actin networks, which are ubiquitous in cells and which are essential in providing mechanical stability all eukaryotic cells. These networks are comprised of nearly rigid filaments; nevertheless, thermal fluctuations play an essential role in determining the elastic properties. The elasticity exhibits a remarkable variability, both as the concentration is varied, and as the degree of deformation is changed. The non-linear behavior of these networks is a unique feature that is critical to their performance, and which plays an essential role in determining the properties of these networks in living cells.

http://www.deas.harvard.edu/projects/weitzlab/