Work

Active Particles Destabilize Passive Membranes

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: We present a theory for the interaction between active particles and a passive flexible membrane. By explicitly solving for the pressure exerted by the active particles, we show that they reduce the membrane tension and bending modulus and introduce novel non-local contributions to the membrane mechanics. This theory predicts activity-induced instabilities and their morphology are in agreement with recent experimental and simulation data.

Source: arXiv (Cornell University)

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2601.16430

Authors: King, David A., Russell, Thomas P., Omar, Ahmad K.

Institutions: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Topic: Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences

Awards: G1286236842, G1286251239, G1539691300, G302598596, G30714459, G419881185, G42916606, G498139845, G650090426, G969889393

OpenAlex ID: W7125690251

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