Monte Carlo simulation of actin self-assembly

Using grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations we study the equilibrium properties of actin self-assembly. The statistics of actin polymerization is described by a mechanism involving monomer activation and chain propagation with bond association constants derived from experimental free energy parameters. For efficiency in representing systems of very long, stiff chains we use a coarse-graining based on spherocylinders. We will present results pertaining to the isotropic-nematic transition in this equilibrium polymer system.