Semiflexible Polymers II

Dear Colleagues,

Further to the success of the Special Issue of Polymers “Semiflexible Polymers”, we are delighted to open a new Special Issue entitled “Semiflexible Polymers II”.

Semiflexible chains serve as a coarse-grained representation of macromolecules whenever random or self-avoiding walk statistics do not apply, i.e., when the dimensions of a macromolecule do not significantly exceed its persistence length. Semiflexibility also manifests itself when a polymer is strongly stretched, or when it is confined by  boundaries. Prominent systems containing semiflexible chains are various biomolecules, such as DNA and the cytoskeletal filaments (F-actin, nanotubes, intermediate filaments), dendronized polymers, and their networks and brushes. Semiflexible chains are an integral part of polymer physics education. However, even if fundamental results have been obtained for linear semiflexible chains, the number of open issues is larger. The minimal theoretical model which acts as the classical paradigm in the field is the wormlike chain (WLC), a locally inextensible fluctuating one-dimensional curve with bending stiffness. Despite its appeal and success with long dsDNA, however, it is inadequate to describe the conformations and elasticity of many semiflexible systems. Electrostatic interactions, quenched or reversible inhomogeneities along the polymer contour, supramolecular structures (e.g., actin bundles, DNA nanotubes, which themselves may act as semiflexible building blocks of higher order assemblies), cross-links, helicity, and twist stiffness modify the simple uniform WLC behavior. Besides thermal and possibly quenched disorder, semiflexible polymers in living matter also experience active noise. The polymer itself may have activity, converting chemical energy to mechanical work, or it can be passive interacting with an active environment. 

This Special Issue is concerned with the statics and dynamics, simulation and application of semiflexible polymers in the WLC framework and beyond, including linear, branched, ring, thick polymers and their networks or gels. Topics may include polymer solution or scaling behavior, knots, entanglements, interactions, lattice and continuous representations, buckling, bond breaking, translocation, scattering properties in both equilibrium and out-of-equilibrium situations. Papers may also address semiflexible chains subjected to flow and external stimuli or fields, semiflexible chains in composites or in biological systems, subjected to confinement, or as part of nematic or other networks. Ideally, contributions will focus on fundamental results, algorithms, mechanisms, statistical physics, and/or applications that will help to compile the current state of the art. Both original contributions and reviews are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Martin Kröger
Assoc. Prof.  Panayotis Benetatos
Guest Editors

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