Active Matter under Cyclic Stretch: Modeling Microtubule Alignment and Bundling

TL;DR

This paper presents a self-propelled particle model that simulates microtubule pattern formation under cyclic stretching, successfully reproducing experimental observations and enabling systematic exploration of active matter responses.

Contribution

It introduces a novel modeling framework that incorporates elastic energy effects to accurately simulate microtubule alignment and bundling under cyclic substrate deformation.

Findings

Model reproduces experimental microtubule patterns

Framework allows systematic study of active matter responses

Potential applications in microtubule manipulation

Abstract

We investigate the behavior of self-propelled particles under cyclic stretching, inspired by the characteristic pattern dynamics observed in microtubule (MT) motility assays subjected to uniaxial cyclic substrate stretching. We develop a self-propelled particle model that incorporates the elastic energy acting on the filaments due to substrate deformation, successfully reproducing the experimentally observed MT patterns. Additionally, the general framework of the model enables systematic exploration of collective responses to various substrate deformations, offering potential applications in the manipulation of MT patterns and other active matter systems.