Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA.
Voltaiq Inc., 2150 Shattuck Ave, #704 Berkeley, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA.
J Biol Phys. 2021 Sep;47(3):237-251. doi: 10.1007/s10867-021-09578-5. Epub 2021 Sep 8.
We propose an experiment to demonstrate spontaneous ordering and symmetry breaking of kinesin-driven microtubules confined to an optical trap. Calculations involving the feasibility of such an experiment are first performed which analyze the power needed to confine microtubules and address heating concerns. We then present the results of first-principles simulations of active microtubules confined in such a trap and analyze the types of motion observed by the microtubules as well as the velocity of the surrounding fluid, both near the trap and in the far-field. We find three distinct phases characterized by breaking of distinct symmetries and also analyze the power spectrum of the angular momenta of polymers to further quantify the differences between these phases. Under the correct conditions, microtubules were found to spontaneously align with one another and circle the trap in one direction.
我们提出了一个实验，旨在演示在光阱中限制的动力蛋白驱动的微管的自发有序和对称破缺。首先进行了涉及此类实验可行性的计算，分析了限制微管所需的功率并解决了加热问题。然后，我们展示了在这种陷阱中限制的活性微管的第一性原理模拟的结果，并分析了微管观察到的运动类型以及周围流体的速度，包括在陷阱附近和远场。我们发现了三个具有不同对称性的不同阶段，并分析了聚合物角动量的功率谱，以进一步量化这些阶段之间的差异。在正确的条件下，微管会自发地彼此对齐，并沿一个方向围绕陷阱旋转。
