Actin filament polymerization

From the Carlsson lab: Actin filaments are believed to polymerize by a Brownian-ratchet mechanism whereby new monomers "sneak" into gaps that appear between the growing filament and the obstacle it is pushing, due to thermal fluctuations. These simulations show that the Brownian-ratchet mechanism can function even when the filament is attached to the obstacle (click for animation).

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