Microtubules in Elastic Networks

Microtubules and their associated motor proteins are a model system for understanding fundamental properties of active materials. Dynamic interactions of these proteins have predominantly been investigated using fluorescence microscopy and 2D gliding assays in which either the microtubules or the motors are immobilized on a glass surface. We study the motion of gliding microtubules in 3D networks. In addition, cooperative behavior of multiple kinesin motors is poorly understood even in 2D, though individual motor activity is well understood. A 3D motility assay coupled to an elastic medium has potential to provide a more complete picture into cooperative behavior of multiple interacting microtubules. The medium's response to activity provides a way to measure motor force and characterize motor cooperativity.