Pattern formation of protein pattern interfaces

For numerous fundamental processes of life, the formation of certain protein patterns is essential. Protein pattern formation controlled by molecular switches is – like many processes in nature – far removed from a state of equilibrium. For such non-equilibrium processes, a general theory is lacking that predicts the spatial structure of the patterns. A team led by LMU biophysicist Professor Erwin Frey has developed a new concept describing how equilibrium-like laws can nonetheless arise from such processes driven far from equilibrium. In this way, the researchers have substantially expanded our understanding of pattern formation in systems in which multiple components interact.

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