Self-propagating patterns in active filament bundles - art. no. 138101

Bundles of polar filaments which interact via active elements can exhibit c omplex dynamic behaviors. By using a simple and general description for the bundle dynamics, we find regimes for which density profiles propagate as s olitary waves with a characteristic velocity along the bundle. These behavi ors emerge from an interplay of local contractions in the bundle and relati ve sliding of oppositely oriented filaments. By introducing filament bindin g to and detachment from a substrate, the system is able to generate net mo tion as a self-organization phenomenon.