Active Microtubule Droplets

Condensed Matter lunchtime seminar

Active Microtubule Droplets

  • Event time: 1:00pm
  • Event date: 14th November 2016
  • Speaker: Alys Jepson (Formerly School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh)
  • Location: Room 2511,

Event details

Using microtubules, kinesin clusters and a depleting agent, the Dogic lab has produced active matter that displays self-organisation and collective behavior over large length scales.

These researchers have shown that when depleted onto an oil-water interface, bundled active microtubules form an active nematic in which defects propagate and annihilate in its steady state. Additionally, surfactant stabilized emulsion droplets containing bundled active microtubules form a nematic on their surfaces and, when confined between two glass slides, display self-propulsion. In this talk I replicate these experiments and present preliminary results on the influence of droplet size on movement. I will compare the flow field around active droplets to their passive counterparts and discuss possible future directions in the study of these droplets. I will also show results from a couple of fun experiments on bundled active microtubules in the bulk.

About Condensed Matter lunchtime seminars

This is a weekly series of informal talks given primarily by members of the institute of condensed matter and complex systems, but is also open to members of other groups and external visitors. The aim of the series is to promote discussion and learning of various topics at a level suitable to the broad background of the group. Everyone is welcome to attend..

Find out more about Condensed Matter lunchtime seminars.