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<p>Programming rapid, repeatable motions in soft materials has remained a challenge in active matter and biomimetic design. Here, we present a light-controlled chemomechanical network based on <i>Tetrahymena thermophila</i> calcium-binding protein 2 (Tcb2), a Ca<sup>2+</sup>-sensitive contractile protein. These networks—driven by Ca<sup>2+</sup>-triggered structural rearrangements—exhibit dynamic self-assembly, spatiotemporal growth, and contraction rates comparable to actomyosin systems. By coupling light-sensitive chelators for optically triggered Ca<sup>2+</sup> release, we achieve precise growth and repeatable mechanical contractility of Tcb2 networks, revealing emergent phenomena such as boundary-localized active regions and density gradient-driven reversals in motion. A coupled reaction-diffusion and elastic model explains these dynamics, highlighting the interplay between chemical network assembly and mechanical response. We further demonstrate active transport of particles via network-mediated forces in vitro and implement reinforcement learning to program seconds-scale spatiotemporal actuation in silico. These results establish a platform for designing responsive active materials with rapid chemomechanical dynamics and tunable optical control, with applications in synthetic cells, sub-cellular force generation, and programmable biomaterials.</p>

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Light-induced assembly and repeatable actuation in Ca2+-driven chemomechanical protein networks

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月21日

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  • Xiangting Lei,
  • Carlos Floyd,
  • Laura Casas-Ferrer,
  • Tuhin Chakrabortty,
  • Nithesh Chandrasekharan,
  • Aaron R. Dinner,
  • Scott Coyle,
  • Jerry Honts,
  • Saad Bhamla

摘要

Programming rapid, repeatable motions in soft materials has remained a challenge in active matter and biomimetic design. Here, we present a light-controlled chemomechanical network based on Tetrahymena thermophila calcium-binding protein 2 (Tcb2), a Ca2+-sensitive contractile protein. These networks—driven by Ca2+-triggered structural rearrangements—exhibit dynamic self-assembly, spatiotemporal growth, and contraction rates comparable to actomyosin systems. By coupling light-sensitive chelators for optically triggered Ca2+ release, we achieve precise growth and repeatable mechanical contractility of Tcb2 networks, revealing emergent phenomena such as boundary-localized active regions and density gradient-driven reversals in motion. A coupled reaction-diffusion and elastic model explains these dynamics, highlighting the interplay between chemical network assembly and mechanical response. We further demonstrate active transport of particles via network-mediated forces in vitro and implement reinforcement learning to program seconds-scale spatiotemporal actuation in silico. These results establish a platform for designing responsive active materials with rapid chemomechanical dynamics and tunable optical control, with applications in synthetic cells, sub-cellular force generation, and programmable biomaterials.