Abstract

The nonlinear dynamics of a biological double membrane that consists of two coupled lipid bilayers, typical of some intracellular organelles such as mitochondria or nuclei, is studied. A phenomenological free-energy functional is formulated in which the curvatures of the two parts of the double membrane and the distance between them are coupled to the lipid chemical composition. The derived nonlinear evolution equations for the double-membrane dynamics are studied analytically and numerically. A linear stability analysis is performed, and the domains of parameters are found in which the double membrane is stable. For the parameter values corresponding to an unstable membrane, numerical simulations are performed that reveal various types of complex dynamics, including the formation of stationary, spatially periodic patterns.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call