Modeling Biological Membranes morphological response to curvature inductors. Understanding stability of highly curved intracellular compartments , which are largely regulated by membrane associated curvature active proteins, have been a challenge. We have developed a Monte Carlo model to simulate fluid membranes with anisotropic directional curvature. This model is used to study membranes with an in-plane nematic orientational order and inclusions than can generate anisotropic curvature. Using this Monte-Carlo scheme we have shown that highly curved shapes, like tubes and discs, with a striking similarity to the structures engendered by certain curvature sensing peripheral membrane proteins, can be spontaneously generated by anisotropic directional curvature with nematic disclinations playing an important role. We then go on to show that, due to membrane mediated interactions these curvature inducing membrane nematogens can aggregate spontaneously, even at low concentrations."

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Posted by Prof. P. B. Sunil Kumar.