The shape of polymer-decorated membranes

Flexible membranes with anchored polymers are studied using both analytical methods and Monte Carlo simulations. The anchored polymers exert an entrop ically induced pressure on the membrane which is calculated explicitly usin g a small-gradient expansion. Likewise, we are able to determine both the s hape profile of the membrane, which approaches a cone-like shape close to t he anchor and a catenoid far away from it, and the profile of the induced m ean curvature. We also consider membranes decorated by many polymers and id entify two coverage regimes; one of which is governed by polymer/membrane a nd the other by polymer/polymer interactions.