Subdiffusion and anomalous local viscoelasticity in actin networks

We use magnetic tweezers to study local viscoelastic response in filamentous actin networks. The choice of magnetic, colloidal particles of varying size allows us to explore properties on the relevant micron and submicron scales. At these scales the mechanical response is determined by the bending properties of individual filaments and described by an anomalous power-law behavior. In the absence of external forces the particles exhibit a subdiffusive motion.