Work

Entropic Tug of War: Topological Constraints Spontaneously Rectify the Dynamics of a Polymer with Heterogeneous Fluctuations

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Polymers with active segments constitute prospective future materials and are used as a model for some biological systems such as chromatin. The directions of the active forces are typically introduced with temporal or spatial correlations to establish directional motion of the chain and corresponding active dynamics. Instead, here we consider an active-passive copolymer, where the two segments differ only by the magnitude of their fluctuations and feature no artificial correlations. Here we show that although the model itself does not possess directional dynamics, if the chains are concentrated, directional persistent motion spontaneously arises as a consequence of the broken translational symmetry owing to the topological constraints. Using scaling arguments and simulations, we explain the phenomenon and describe the ensuing dynamics. Our work has thus far-reaching consequences for the mechanical properties of all dense active polymeric systems with heterogeneous fluctuations and in particular for chromatin conformation and dynamics that are crucial for biological functionality.

Source: Physical Review X

DOI: 10.1103/rkms-2v1l

Authors: Adam H. T. P. Höfler, Iurii Chubak, Christos N. Likos, Jan Smrek

Institution: University of Vienna

Language: English

Topic: Micro and Nano Robotics

Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,200

Funders: European Commission, H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions