Rheology of two-dimensional F-actin networks associated with a lipid interface

TL;DR

This study investigates the surface rheology of cross-linked F-actin networks at a lipid interface, revealing their elastic properties and shear-thinning behavior under flow conditions.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed measurement of the elastic modulus and flow behavior of F-actin networks at a lipid monolayer interface.

Findings

Elastic modulus increases with cross-linking concentration

Network behaves as a power law fluid under steady shear

Effective viscosity decreases with shear rate

Abstract

We report on the surface rheology of cross-linked F-actin networks associated with a lipid monolayer at the air-water interface of a Langmuir monolayer. The rheological measurements are made using a Couette cell. These data demonstrate that the network has a finite elastic modulus that grows as a function of the cross-linking concentration. We also note that under steady-state flow the system behaves as a power law fluid in which the effective viscosity decreases with imposed shear.