Abstract
We present a model of biopolymer gels that includes two types of elastic nonlinearities, stiffening under extension and softening (due to buckling) under compression, to predict the elastic anisotropy induced by both external as well as internal (e.g., due to cell contractility) stresses in biopolymer gels. We show how the stretch-induced anisotropy and the strain-stiffening nonlinearity increase both the amplitude and power-law range of transmission of internal, contractile, cellular forces, and relate this to recent experiments.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 032728 |
Journal | Physical Review E |
Volume | 92 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 29 Sep 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |