Activity-driven fluctuations in living cells. (11th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fodor, É.; Guo, M.; Gov, N. S.; Visco, P.; Weitz, D. A.; van Wijland, F.
• Is Part Of: Europhysics letters. Volume 110:Number 4(2015:May)
• Publication Date: 2015-06-11
• Subjects: 87.16.dj -- 87.16.ad -- 87.16.Uv; Physics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 530.05
• DOI: 10.1209/0295-5075/110/48005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0295-5075

Abstract

Abstract: We propose a model for the dynamics of a probe embedded in a living cell, where both thermal fluctuations and nonequilibrium activity coexist. The model is based on a confining harmonic potential describing the elastic cytoskeletal matrix, which undergoes random active hops as a result of the nonequilibrium rearrangements within the cell. We describe the probe's statistics and we bring forth quantities affected by the nonequilibrium activity. We find an excellent agreement between the predictions of our model and experimental results for tracers inside living cells. Finally, we exploit our model to arrive at quantitative predictions for the parameters characterizing nonequilibrium activity, such as the typical time scale of the activity and the amplitude of the active fluctuations.