title: Bundle dynamics of interacting polar rods.
abstract: We use a probabilistic model of microtubule interaction via molecular motors to study microtubule bundle interaction. Our model indicates that initially disordered systems of interacting polar rods exhibit an orientational instability resulting in spontaneous ordering. We study the existence and dynamic interaction of microtubule bundles analytically and numerically. Our results show a long term attraction and coalescing of bundles indicating a clear coarsening in the system; Microtubule bundles concentrate into fewer orientations on a slow logarithmic time scale.
authors.affiliation: Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60202, USA.
authors.forename: Sumanth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Swaminathan
authors.forename: Dmitry
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Karpeev
authors.forename: Igor S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Aranson