Efficient collective motion of molecular motors

I will introduce effective, mesoscopic models which capture the dynamic coupling of the particles to their environment on the natural time and length scales in which they evolve, disregarding the details of the medium. I will analyze the peculiarities of collective transport of molecular motors along biofilaments, and the patterns they give rise to due to their coupling to the embedding fluid medium in which they displace and will discuss the relevant physical mechanisms underlying the specific properties of their collective behavior. By focusing on simplified models, it is then possible to identify the relevant parameters which control such behavior. Understanding the mechanical principles which determine cooperatively will help to clarify the role of physical coupling in active materials.

Since these systems are out of equilibrium, their mechanical balance is very sensitive to external disturbances. Therefore, once the basic principles which control the intrinsic activity of these systems has been clarified, it is interesting to analyze how do they react to externally applied fields or to geometric confinement.