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DY: Dynamik und Statistische Physik

DY 14: Statistical physics in biological systems I

DY 14.3: Talk

Monday, March 24, 2003, 15:15–15:30, G\"OR/226

Oscillatory pattern for conserved ion channel densities in biomembranes — •Markus Hilt and Walter Zimmermann — Theor. Physik, Universität des Saarlandes, 66041 Saarbrücken

Ion flow through ion–channels in a membrane may cause gradients of the electrical potential which give rise to electrophoresis of charged channels. The coupled dynamics of the densities of two types of oppositely charged ion-channels and the voltage accross the membrane (cable equation) gives rise to a pattern formation process which can be described by a new universal Ginzburg–Landau equation as shown with this contribution. This universal equation is valid for pattern formation processes immediately beyond a Hopf-bifurcation for a whole class of systems with conserved order parameters. The derivation of this equation from the equations for the ion-channel dynamics is sketched and a few solution scenarios are discussed.