Dynamics of cytoskeletal networks: From geometric structure to cell mechanics (A04)

• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics ; Mathematics
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 432680300

The aim of this project is to investigate how two mechanically distinct types of polymers found in biological cells - microtubules and intermediate filaments - influence or even stabilize each other. We envision to gain a more detailed understanding of this interplay on cell mechanics, dynamics and, eventually, function. We will employ novel statistical tools to investigate the dynamical and correlative behavior of the networks, based on Gromov-Wasserstein spaces and related distances. As we model filament networks as graphs with metric measure space structure, we expect the scope of applicability far beyond the present applications.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1456: Mathematics of Experiment: The challenge of indirect measurements in the natural sciences
• Applicant Institution: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Sarah Köster; Professor Dr. Axel Munk