Multiscale Physics and the Dynamics of Muscle
Abstract
Force generation by muscle is brought about by the complex interaction among millions of motor proteins (myosin cross-bridges), interacting in a highly structured compliant lattice of protein filaments (think and thin filaments). In every sense, muscle contractility is a problem of multi-scale physics: it spans scales from the dynamics that occur at few nanometers to those that characterize entire muscles and moving creatures. In addition, fluid dynamic, chemical, elastic and inertial processes all potentially contribute to the emergent dynamics of the interaction of myriad molecular motors that generate force and consume energy as humans and other animals manipulate objects and move in their environment. We propose to experimentally test whether there are conditions under which key assumptions underlying models of force generation are violated. Using quick-release experiments on isolated muscle fibers in conjunction with high-speed laser and X-ray diffraction we will ask whether strain non-uniformities exist and whether elastic and viscous processes influence the basic mechanochemistry of force generation by molecular motor in muscle. We are focusing on a preliminary experiment that leverages recent advances in high-speed detectors and a unique muscle preparation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 08, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1063472
Entities
People
- Thomas L. Daniel
Organizations
- University of Washington