Active Gel: Cytoskeletal Contraction

Myosin-driven actomyosin cortex — contraction waves and active stress flow

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Active Gel Theory: Actin density ρ, myosin motor field m, velocity v. σ = η·∂v/∂x + ζ·m (active stress). ∂ρ/∂t = −∂(ρv)/∂x − τ⁻¹(ρ−ρ₀). ∂m/∂t = −∂(mv)/∂x + k_on·ρ·(1−m) − k_off·m + noise. Force balance: ∂σ/∂x = ξv. Above threshold ζ_c, spontaneous flow and contraction waves emerge.