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Cellular biophysics

Molecular motors make waves and sculpt patterns

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Networks of dynamic actin filaments and myosin motors, confined in cell-like droplets, drive diverse spatiotemporal patterning of contractile flows, waves, and spirals. This multiscale active sculpting is tuned by the system dynamics and size.

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Fig. 1: Transition from steady global flow to periodic contractile waves in actomyosin networks.

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  1. University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA

    Rae M. Robertson-Anderson

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  1. Rae M. Robertson-Anderson
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Correspondence to Rae M. Robertson-Anderson.

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Robertson-Anderson, R.M. Molecular motors make waves and sculpt patterns. Nat. Phys. 20, 18–19 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-023-02286-y

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