Growth and division of chemically active droplets: A model for protocells

Seminar
QUEST Center event
No
Speaker
Dr. Rabea Seyboldt
Date
17/07/2018 - 14:00Add to Calendar 2018-07-17 14:00:00 2018-07-17 14:00:00 Growth and division of chemically active droplets: A model for protocells Macromolecular phase separation and droplet formation have long been proposed as key elements in the formation of protocells during the origin of life. A simple model of a protocell consists of a droplet, where droplet material is produced outside the droplet, and chemical reactions inside the droplet play the role of a simple metabolism. Our theoretical study shows that such chemically active droplets can have a flux-driven shape instability that leads to a symmetric droplet division. We analyze the dependence of the instability on the droplet viscosity and parameters that characterize the metabolism and material production. Our work provides a physical mechanism for the division of early protocells before the appearance of membranes. Colloquium Room 301 Department of Physics physics.dept@mail.biu.ac.il Asia/Jerusalem public
Place
Colloquium Room 301
Abstract

Macromolecular phase separation and droplet formation have long been proposed as key elements in the formation of protocells during the origin of life. A simple model of a protocell consists of a droplet, where droplet material is produced outside the droplet, and chemical reactions inside the droplet play the role of a simple metabolism. Our theoretical study shows that such chemically active droplets can have a flux-driven shape instability that leads to a symmetric droplet division. We analyze the dependence of the instability on the droplet viscosity and parameters that characterize the metabolism and material production. Our work provides a physical mechanism for the division of early protocells before the appearance of membranes.

Last Updated Date : 15/07/2018