Researchers have achieved a major breakthrough in the field of active matter physics, successfully controlling 3D active nematic liquid crystals within cell-sized droplets. This groundbreaking discovery offers insights into biological processes and paves the way for advancements in materials science and soft robotics. Liquid crystals and active matter are at the forefront of scientific exploration, with far-reaching implications.
Taming the Chaos of Active Nematics
Now, in a major breakthrough an international team of researchers from Brandeis University; the University of Fribourg (Switzerland); Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Germany); National Institute for 3D Active Matter Science (Tohoku) and RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science and PMI Center for Translational Molecular Medicine, Yonsei-RIKEN; have been able to control and stabilize these life-like behaviors in three dimensions without applying any external forces.
While this defeated years of previous experimental observations of these active nematics often behaving chaotically, it confirmed a seminal prediction from the early days of theory that they could come to rest if energy levels are very low or certain spatial constraints (like confinement) are tight. Published recently in Physical Review X, the new research demonstrates that containment within cell-sized droplets can halt this violent churning of themselves — a happy outcome redolent of rudimentary LCD tech from more than half a century ago.
Theoretical Prediction to Experimental Validation
International cooperation was also a key ingredient in the success of this study. The theoretical work and simulations were led by Dr. Abhinav Singh, who is based at the Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden), Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, and Center for Systems Biology Dresden. This welcome recall of Dr. Singh explains, “The consistency of our theoretical predictions with the experiments is impressive. In doing so, it validates basic active matter behaviors that could inform our understanding of biological life and enable groundbreaking nanotechnology applications.
Associate Professor of Physics Dr. Guillaume Duclos from Brandeis University, one of the corresponding authors, says “Putting these materials in cell-like droplets was a real game changer For years now, our team has tried to directly test this crucial prediction of the active-matter theory. The ability to match theoretical expectations to experimental outcomes so well is really quite remarkable.
The Future of Active Matter and Soft Robotics Unlocked
Such research could have important ramifications for basic understanding of a range of biological processes, from organization of cell alignment in tissues to the dynamic control over Mitotic spindle organization during cell division. This research ‘takes the next step, not only confirming a theory, but also enabling progress in material science and soft robotics,’ explains Aparna Baskaran of Brandeis University, director of the Brandeis MRSEC Bioinspired Materials and Structures Center (BMaS), professor of theoretical physics at Brandeis University and co-author on the paper.
This opens up a wide range of potential emerging applications in cell mimicry and division, self-healing materials, or biomedical applications based on active biopolymers. For instance, this work could provide insight on how to arrest rogue metastatic cancer cells or bacterial biofilms, a canonical example of an active nematic. The field of active matter physics is reaching this milestone, and Dr. Duclos adds: ” We are at the beginning of a new age in material science where biology meets physics/engineering. We aim for our work to inspire new directions in active matter research and applications, facilitating the emergence of materials that exhibit life-like properties.
