Biological Force Generation
Broadly speaking, we are interested in how cells generate mechanical force. Tools from statistical mechanics and continuum mechanics are used to explain diverse phenomena such as molecular motors, cell motility and protein elasticity. We are also interested in the temporal organization of biomolecular ensembles and the fundamental statistical mechanics of soft biological materials.
Latest Publications
* S. Walcott and S.X. Sun, "Hysteresis in cross-bridge models of muscle" Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. in press (2009).
* A. Celedon, I.M. Nodelman, B. Wildt, R. Dewan, P. Searson, D. Wirtz, G.D. Bowman and S.X. Sun, "Magentic tweezers measurement of single molecule torque" Nano. Lett. in press (2009).
* G. Lan, T.M. Debrowsky, B.R. Daniels, D. Wirtz and S.X. Sun, "Condensation of FtsZ filaments can drive bacterial cell division." PNAS, 106, 121-126, (2009).
Gallery
Myosin-II conformational change
We have shown show that a critical concentration of conical membrane proteins or proteins with nonzero spontaneous curvature can drive the formation of small vesicles.
Success Stories
Using computational modeling, we have shown that Z-ring formation results from the colocalization of FtsZ and FtsA mediated by the favorable alignment of FtsZ polymers. The model predicts that the Z-ring undergoes a condensation transition from a low-density state to a high-density state and generates a sufficient contractile force to achieve division.