Reply to comment on Twisted Protein Aggregates and Disease by Liu and Gunton

TL;DR

This paper clarifies the role of chemical potential in the ensemble of linear protein aggregates, emphasizing that it is not an independent parameter in physically relevant ensembles where total length varies.

Contribution

It provides a clarification on the theoretical understanding of chemical potential's role in protein aggregate ensembles, correcting misconceptions from previous discussions.

Findings

Chemical potential is not independent in ensembles with variable total length.

In fixed-length ensembles, chemical potential can control aggregate radius.

Clarifies theoretical framework for protein aggregation models.

Abstract

We reply to a recent comment [arXiv:1002.2445] and describe why the chemical potential conjugate to the mass of linear aggregates is not an independent parameter in the ensemble that the total length is free to adjust. It is only in the (unphysical) ensemble of fixed total polymer length that such a chemical potential can act as an independent control parameter for the aggregate radius.