Current Research


I am currently working with my supervisor, Leah Keshet, and Alex Mogilner on the interactions of alpha-actinin and actin filaments which are parts of a cell's cytoskeleton.

Alpha-actinin is an actin cross-linking molecule. It consists of two sites which can bind to actin filaments. The following is an idealization of this.


(a) shows a free alpha-actinin molecule, (b) shows an actin filament, (c) shows a single bound alpha-actinin molecule and (d) shows a double bound alpha-actinin molecule. Actin networks are formed when concentrations of actin filaments are mixed with concentrations of alpha-actinin. The types of networks formed and their related properties depend on several variables We will be studying the effects of these variables on various mathematical models.

The two main physical problems which we are interested in are

Our latest thought on the first point is to use integro-partial differential equations to look at interactions between actin filaments and alpha-actinin on the molecular scale. We believe that the patterns which are formed govern the mechanical properties of these structures.

The shape of the structures plays a key role in determining the properties of the gel.


One structure is a lattice which behaves like a strong elastic solid (part A). The alpha-actinin will not dissociate when linked with an actin filament in this case. The second structure is also a lattice (part B) which behaves like a solid, but deforms more easily than the one in part A. This is due to the alpha-actinin dissociating with the actin filaments. The third structure shows the actin filaments aligning in bundles (part C). This structure behaves like a fluid with the actin filaments sliding past one another as the bonds with the alpha-actinin are continually broken and reformed. It has the advantage of resisting fast deformations.

Please feel free to contact me for more information.