Force Velocity for Contracting Actomyosin Networks

Reconstituted actomyosin protein networks exhibit contractile dynamics like many living systems, with far less complexity. Previous studies have characterized molecular motors through single molecule force-velocity measurements. We experimentally quantify the forces generated in contractile actomyosin networks. To measure the force-velocity relationship of the actomyosin contractile network we embed an extensile spring-like network that opposes actomyosin contractions. By varying both extensile resistance and protein concentrations we explore actomyosin contractile dynamics for a range of experimental conditions.