1. Self-organization of microtubules and motors
- Author
-
Nedelec, F.J., Surrey, T., Maggs, A.C., and Leibler, S.
- Subjects
Cells -- Morphology ,Molecular microbiology -- Research ,Microtubules -- Research ,Kinesin -- Research ,Tubulins -- Research ,Environmental issues ,Science and technology ,Zoology and wildlife conservation - Abstract
Researchers constructed a simple system of microtubules and molecular motors to investigate the self-organization process in cellular structure. They observed the production of asters both within a system comprising only stabilized microtubules and multi-headed constructs of the motor protein kinesin, and also from a homogenous solution of motors and tubulin. They also obtained a range of self-organized structures by changing the relative concentrations of the components, and when they studied the process in a micro-fabricated glass chamber.
- Published
- 1997