Notes
The next event in the Physics Colloquium will take place at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 20 in Magruder Hall 1096. Anders Carlsson from the department of physics at Washington University in St. Louis will present “Nonlinear Protein Waves in Biological Cells.” Nonlinear waves based on chemical reactions and diffusion are a startling example of the ways in which simple laws of motion can lead to complex behaviors in physical systems. In this talk, Carlsson will discuss an example of such waves involving the protein actin in biological cells. Actin can exist either as an isolated protein in solution, or in the form of filaments which have mechanical rigidity. Recent experiments have shown filamentous actin forms spontaneous waves, which are correlated with the extension of the peripheral portions of cells. Carlsson will present a theoretical model of such waves based on the three-dimensional geometry of the network formed by actin filaments. Implementation of this model via simulation shows the actin system displays characteristic transitions between dynamic behaviors including traveling waves and patches, as the intracellular protein concentrations are varied. The connections between this behavior and the ability of biological cells to spontaneously explore their environment will be discussed. Snacks are provided five minutes before the talk. For more information about the colloquium series and upcoming talks, visit http://physics.truman.edu/colloquia/mainstage.asp.
A Faculty Forum relating to “Vessels From the Past, an ancient Egyptian pottery exhibit on loan from the Royal Ontario Museum,” will be presented by exhibit curator Sara Orel, professor of art, at 7 p.m. Jan. 26 in Magruder Hall 2001. The theme for the Forum is The Garstang Excavations at Beni Hasan, Egypt.
