arXiv subjects

Marileen Dogterom

Publications and source records attributed to Marileen Dogterom.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2005

Continuum Description of the Cytoskeleton: Ring Formation in the Cell Cortex

Motivated by the formation of ring-like filament structures in the cortex of plant and animal cells, we study the dynamics of a two-dimensional layer of cytoskeletal filaments and motor proteins near a surface by a general continuum theory. As a result of active processes, dynamic patterns of filament orientation and density emerge via instabilities. We show that self-organization phenomena can lead to the formation of stationary and oscillating rings. We present state diagrams which reveal a rich scenario of asymptotic behaviors and discuss the role of boundary conditions.

q-bio.SC↗

arXiv2003

Isotropic-Nematic transition of long thin hard spherocylinders confined in a quasi-two-dimensional planar geometry

We present computer simulations of long thin hard spherocylinders in a narrow planar slit. We observe a transition from the isotropic to a nematic phase with quasi-long-range orientational order upon increasing the density. This phase transition is intrinsically two dimensional and of the Kosterlitz-Thouless type. The effective two-dimensional density at which this transition occurs increases with plate separation. We qualitatively compare some of our results with experiments where microtubules are confined in a thin slit, which gave the original inspiration for this work.

cond-mat.soft↗