Active Polymers and Filaments: Organization and Dynamics

Self-driven or active polymers and filaments are pervasive in biological systems, spanning from the intricate DNA chromatin within cell nuclei to the actin and microtubule filaments in the cytoskeleton, and even extending to macroscopic organisms like worms and snakes. Notably, researchers have achieved bio-mimetic realizations of robotic worms, snakes, and synthetic cytoskeletal materials. These diverse systems exhibit a rich spectrum of structural and dynamic properties at both the individual and collective levels. Examples include spontaneous spiral, helical, and globule-like conformations, as well as vortex formations in microtubules propelled by molecular motors. Additionally, we observe coexisting ordered states in actin-myosin filaments, dynamical networks within C. elegans, and the emergence of collective locomotion in entangled aggregates of worms. Recent times have witnessed a surge of interest across a range of disciplines encompassing soft and active matter physics, biology, chemistry, and robotic engineering.

This interdisciplinary convergence seeks to uncover the fundamental mechanisms underlying individual and collective self-organization of active filaments. This pursuit is grounded in a unified framework of active polymers, aimed at understanding how the interplay of self-propulsion, interactions, and flexibility shapes emergent behaviors. We propose an interdisciplinary workshop poised to bring together foremost experts from diverse fields. Collectively, we endeavor to untangle the emergent features inherent to active polymers, decode the governing principles that dictate their dynamics, and pinpoint pivotal inquiries that bridge existing knowledge gaps. By fostering collaborative dialogue and cross-pollination of ideas, we anticipate forging pathways towards pioneering materials engineering, including the design of programmable shape-changing materials.