Computational study of autonomous mechanical oscillations in a colloidal network crosslinked via clock proteins

We investigate a colloidal network as a model system that can dynamically switch between crosslinked and unlinked states when connected via crosslinkers made of clock proteins such as the bacterial circadian oscillator proteins KaiABC. We study this system using Brownian Dynamics simulations and obtain collective properties, such as the degree of order in the system, size of connected clusters, and the mechanical rigidity of the system as a function of time for different volume fractions of colloids, interaction strengths, and crosslinking kinetics. Using experimental parameters for polystyrene spheres and biotinylated KaiABC crosslinkers, we predict the behavior of real systems. Our results can provide insights into the design of self-sustaining soft materials that can autonomously transition between solid-like and fluid-like states, and how the properties of such materials can be tuned.