Programmable Active Matter

Introduction

Living systems employ chemical energy to generate mechanical forces and motion, often resulting in emergent phase transitions that manifest as various spatiotemporal structures. This inherent behavior makes living systems ideal subjects for the study of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. Yet, their complexity impedes our current experimental control of their phase transitions.

Proposed System

We propose a novel, simple, and quantitative experimental system to study phase transitions of living matter in a controlled nonequilibrium environment. We create an innovative in-vitro active system using biological components, linking a microtubule motile network to gene circuits that control the system through the local synthesis of building blocks.

Programming Interactions

This will allow us to program the constituent's interactions, including:

• Type
• Range
• Strength
• Position
• Mechanical properties of the carrying media

Research Perspectives

We offer to study dynamical phase transitions from two perspectives:

1. Internally driven nonequilibrium phase transitions defined by dynamical or nonreciprocal interactions.
2. Thermal transitions occurring within a nonequilibrium environment.

Aims of the Study

We will establish this system by studying:

• Aim 1: Microtubules active flow hydrodynamics and pattern formation driven by gene circuits.
• Aim 2: Programming local interactions that defy Newton's third law and studying their emergent collective dynamics.
• Aim 3: Phase transition of thermal deformable soft objects mechanically interacting with microtubules flows.

Expected Outcomes

Our innovative approach will yield tools and insights for understanding biomaterial self-organization with broad relevance.

Potential Impact

It has the potential, in the field of physics, to lead to the discovery of novel phase transitions and explain them quantitatively. In biology, it helps uncover the mechanisms behind cell shape maintenance and motility regulation. Moreover, it holds promise for industrial applications, enabling precise transport control within closed reactors.