Momentum transfer through synthesized biopolymer network meshes with optically trapped anchor points

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Alexander Rohrbach
• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: from 2010 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 179729698

During the last two decades, optical traps have proven their enormous potential in soft matter physics and in biophysics. Although nearly arbitrary potential landscapes can be generated quite flexibly, particle motions therein and driving forces are often difficult to measure. Only briefly it has been shown that by fast time-multiplexing of an optical trap, parallel tracking of about 100 particles is possible in three dimensions achieving a rate of several kHz and nanometer precision. An independent calibration of all point traps allows for measuring dynamic force fields with high precision and sensitivity.The generation and measurement of arbitrary force fields makes it possible to investigate new intelligent, soft materials based on the model of nature. In this proposal we aim to set up a network of biopolymer through a bottom-up approach, where each elementary cell is set up by optical traps to be connected with the next cell. Microtubules, which are an important part of the cytoskeleton inside living cells, will be bound in chemically stabilized variant to coated latex beads. Each bead sits inside an optical trap within a variable two-dimensional arrangement and serves as an anchor point of the network. By disturbing the network mechanically and at different frequencies at one end, the propagation of momentum and the visco-elastic response transferred by different mesh configurations can be studied at the other end.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants