title: Mechanics of bundled semiflexible polymer networks.
abstract: While actin bundles are used by living cells for structural fortification, the microscopic origin of the elasticity of bundled networks is not understood. Here, we show that above a critical concentration of the actin binding protein fascin, a solution of actin filaments organizes into a pure network of bundles. While the elasticity of weakly cross-linked networks is dominated by the affine deformation of tubes, the network of bundles can be fully understood in terms of nonaffine bending undulations.
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl für Biophysik E22, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lieleg
authors.forename: M M A E
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Claessens
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heussinger
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Frey
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bausch
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D000199:Actins / Q000737:chemistry; D004548:Elasticity; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D012996:Solutions
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D011108:Polymers; D012996:Solutions