Translocation Dynamics of Active Polymerlike Worms

Polymer translocation through nanopores plays a crucial role in biological systems, enabling the transport of DNA and proteins across cellular and nuclear membranes. This process also underpins advanced technologies, such as DNA sequencing. While passive polymer translocation has been well-characterized, the dynamics of active polymer systems—capable of self-driven motion—remain less understood, despite their relevance to biological transport. Here, we examine the translocation behavior of centimeter-scale, living polymer-like worms as model active polymers within a custom 3D-printed geometry. Our results reveal that the interaction between polymer flexibility and activity imparts distinctive transport properties to active polymers, distinguishing them from their passive counterparts. Additionally, we support our findings with simulations of tangentially driven polymers, providing insights into the role of activity in shaping translocation dynamics.