Point-like inclusion interactions in tubular membranes

TL;DR

This paper analytically and computationally investigates how point-like inclusions in tubular membranes interact and organize, revealing energy-minimizing arrangements like lines or rings based on their size.

Contribution

It introduces a combined analytical and Monte Carlo simulation approach to study inclusion interactions and organization in tubular membranes, highlighting the influence of inclusion size.

Findings

Inclusions form linear or ring structures to minimize curvature energy.

Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate aggregation patterns based on inclusion size.

Analytical models predict interaction behaviors of membrane inclusions.

Abstract

We analytically study membrane mediated interactions between inclusions embedded in a tubular membrane. We model inclusions as constraints coupled to the curvature tensor of the membrane tube. First, as special test cases, we analyze the interaction between ring and rod shaped inclusions. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we further show how point-like inclusions interact to form linear aggregates. Our results reveal that depending on the hard-core radius of the inclusions, they arrange into either lines or rings to globally minimize the curvature energy of the membrane.