title: Cross-link-governed dynamics of biopolymer networks.
abstract: Recent experiments show that networks of stiff biopolymers cross-linked by transient linker proteins exhibit complex stress relaxation, enabling network flow at long times. We present a model for the dynamics controlled by cross-links in such networks. We show that a single microscopic time scale for cross-linker unbinding leads to a broad spectrum of macroscopic relaxation times and a shear modulus G ∼ ω(1/2) for low frequencies ω. This model quantitatively describes the measured rheology of actin networks cross-linked with α-actinin-4 over more than four decades in frequency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Chase P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Broedersz
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Depken
authors.forename: Norman Y
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Martin R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pollak
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Weitz
authors.forename: Frederick C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: MacKintosh
mesh_terms: D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry*; D008954:Models, Biological; D012212:Rheology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents