P09-03

Anisotropic Swarming of DNA Modified Microtubules Under UV Light

Chung Wing CHAN *, Marie TANI, Masatoshi ICHIKAWA, Ibuki KAWAMATA, Akira KAKUGO

Division of Physics and Astronomy, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University
( * E-mail: chan.wing.76t@st.kyoto-u.ac.jp )

Active matter systems, which covert free energy to generate their own motion and forces. The collective motion of these self-propelling agents often spontaneously displays emergent transport behaviors influenced by environments. Such systems can exhibit swarming behaviors, offering advantages like robustness and flexibility. Inspired by these phenomena, swarming in various active matter systems in a programmable manner is explored from artificial particles to living systems. Despite advancements in materials and control strategies, achieving programmable self-assembly in micro-scale swarming robots remains challenging. Molecular robots, such as microtubules (MTs)-kinesin systems, show potential in overcoming this challenge. In our study, we demonstrate the swarm of MTs can be controlled by UV and visible light by conjugating photo-responsive DNA(p-DNA) to MTs, presenting new pathways for optical control of swarming behavior. To obtain more physical insights from the experimental system, we also combine computer simulation with Vicsek type model, and effective hydrodynamic theory to investigate the swarming dynamics of p-DNA-conjugated MTs under optical patterns. Our preliminary result suggests that the motion direction can be oriented by the gradient of light intensity. Based on it, by manipulating optical patterns, our research sheds light on controlling MTs swarm, advancing the understanding of collective dynamics under external stimulation.