Membrane-mediated interactions between hinge-like particles

• DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00094f
• Publication Date: 2022-03-11T03:01:10Z
• Authors: Bing Li; Steven M. Abel
• Keywords: Particle (ecology)

Adsorption of nanoparticles on a membrane can give rise to interactions between particles, mediated by deformations, that play an important role in self-assembly and remodeling. Previous theoretical experimental research has focused with fixed shapes, such as spherical, rod-like, curved nanoparticles. Recently, hinge-like DNA origami nanostructures have been designed tunable mechanical properties. Inspired this, we investigate the equilibrium properties particles adsorbed elastic using Monte Carlo umbrella sampling simulations. The configurations isolated particle are influenced competition bending energies particle, which be controlled changing adsorption strength hinge stiffness. When two interact, they effectively repel one another when adhesion is weak. However, strong adhesive interaction induces effective attraction drives their aggregation. aggregate tuned adjusting stiffness: tip-to-tip aggregation occurs for flexible hinges, whereas tip-to-middle also stiffer hinges. Our results highlight potential features deformable influence mutually another.