Dominance of extreme statistics in a prototype many-body Brownian ratchet
arXiv:1204.1804 · doi:10.1063/1.4899052
Abstract
Many forms of cell motility rely on Brownian ratchet mechanisms that involve multiple stochastic processes. We present a computational and theoretical study of the nonequilibrium statistical dynamics of such a many-body ratchet, in the specific form of a growing polymer gel that pushes a diffusing obstacle. We find that oft-neglected correlations among constituent filaments impact steady-state kinetics and significantly deplete the gel's density within molecular distances of its leading edge. These behaviors are captured quantitatively by a self-consistent theory for extreme fluctuations in filaments' spatial distribution.
5 pages with 3 figures + 20 pages of Supplementary Material with 2 figures. Updated to agree with published version; published as a Communication in J. Chem. Phys