The cellulose synthase complex: a polymerization driven supramolecular motor.

We present a biophysical model for the propulsion of the cellulose synthase complex, the motile transmembrane protein complex responsible for the biosynthesis of cellulose microfibrils, the dominant architectural component of the cell walls of higher plants. Our model identifies the polymerization and the crystallization of the cellulose chains as the combined driving forces and elucidates the role of polymer flexibility and membrane elasticity as force transducers. The model is elaborated using both stochastic simulations and a simplified analytical treatment.

Inelastic hard rods in a periodic potential.

A simple model of inelastic hard rods subject to a one-dimensional array of identical wells is introduced. The energy loss due to inelastic collisions is balanced by the work supplied by an external stochastic heat bath. We explore the effect of the spatial nonuniformity on the steady states of the system.

Fluid-like behavior of a one-dimensional granular gas.

We study the properties of a one-dimensional (1D) granular gas consisting of N hard rods on a line of length L (with periodic boundary conditions). The particles collide inelastically and are fluidized by a heat bath at temperature Tb and viscosity gamma. The analysis is supported by molecular dynamics simulations.