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Mechanical organization of DNA drives autonomous oscillations in active matter

סוגStatistical & Bio Seminar
מרצה:Prof. Alexandra Tayar
שיוך:Weizmann Institute of Science
תאריך:18.01.2026
שעה:11:30 - 12:30
מיקום:Lidow Nathan Rosen (300)
תקציר:

DNA in living systems is constantly reshaped by mechanical forces, yet how mechanics alone can organize DNA at large scales remains unclear. In this talk we show a minimal active composite of microtubules, kinesin motors, and DNA in which active flows stretch and entangle DNA into a self-organized viscoelastic network. This mechanical feedback drives a nonequilibrium transition from disordered flow to synchronized, millimeter-scale oscillations. An active-gel model captures the emergence of oscillations without chemical signaling, revealing a physical route to autonomous, coordinated dynamics in active soft matter.