Citation:
Broedersz, C. P. ; Depken, M. ; Yao, N. Y. ; Pollak, M. R. ; Weitz, D. A. ; MacKintosh, F. C. Cross-link-governed dynamics of biopolymer networks. Physical Review Letters 2010, 105, 238101. Copy at http://www.tinyurl.com/y3co86wk
 | broedersz2010.pdf | 327 KB |
Abstract:
Recent experiments show that networks of stiff biopolymers cross-linked by transient linker proteins exhibit complex stress relaxation, enabling network flow at long times. We present a model for the dynamics controlled by cross-links in such networks. We show that a single microscopic time scale for cross-linker unbinding leads to a broad spectrum of macroscopic relaxation times and a shear modulus G similar to omega(1/2) for low frequencies omega. This model quantitatively describes the measured rheology of actin networks cross-linked with alpha-actinin-4 over more than four decades in frequency.