Session X39: Biomechanics: From Subcellular to Multicellular Scales

2:30 PM–5:30 PM, Thursday, March 24, 2011
Room: A124/127

Sponsoring Units: DBP DCOMP
Chair: Gabor Forgacs, University of Missouri

Abstract ID: BAPS.2011.MAR.X39.7

Abstract: X39.00007 : Modeling actin waves in dictyostelium cells

4:30 PM–4:42 PM

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Authors:

  Vaibhav Wasnik
    (Clark university)

  Ranjan Mukhopadhyay
    (Clark University)

Actin networks in living cells demonstrate a high capacity for self-organization and are responsible for the formation of a variety of structures such as lamellopodia, phagocytic cups, and cleavage furrows. Recent experiments have studied actin waves formed on the surface of dictyostelium cells that have been treated with a depolymerizing agent. These waves are believed to be physiologically important, for example, for the formation of phagocytic cups. We propose and study a minimal model, based on the dendritic nucleation of actin polymers, to explain the formation of these waves. This model can be extended to study the dynamics of the coupled actin-membrane system.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2011.MAR.X39.7