Random and cooperative phenomena in multicomponent dynamic systems composed of motor proteins and cytoskeletal filaments (Stochastische und kooperative Phänomene in multikomponentigen dynamischen Synthesen bestehend aus Motormolekülen und Zytoskelettfilamenten)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Erwin Frey
• Subject Area: Biophysics
• Term: from 1999 to 2004
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5175400

Our objective is to theoretically analyze random and cooperative phenomena in multicomponent dynamic systems composed of a "passive" filament, which is characterized by its structure and elasticity, and an "active" protein showing motor activity. Specifically we will study two systems: (a) binding of motor proteins to cytoskeletal filaments and (b) active networks composed of molecular motors and semiflexible polymers. (a) The equilibrium binding stoichiometry of dimeric proteins on lattices as a function of solution concentration and parameters characterizing the specific type of motor protein will be determined. We will further investigate irreversible binding without dissociation and the relaxational behavior towards equilibrium. (b) The material properties of active networks will be determined using methods from statistical mechanics and non-equilibrium physics. In particular we will calculate the dynamic structure factor. We will closely cooperate with Dr. R. Merkel, who studies active actomyosin networks via DLS experimentally.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1068: Molekulare Motoren