Self-Organized Pacemakers in a Coupled Reaction-Diffusion-Mechanics System

A. V. Panfilov, R. H. Keldermann, and M. P. Nash
Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 258104 – Published 15 December 2005

Abstract

Using a computational model of a coupled reaction-diffusion-mechanics system, we find that mechanical deformation can induce automatic pacemaking activity. Pacemaking is shown to occur after a single electrical or mechanical stimulus in an otherwise nonoscillatory medium. We study the mechanisms underpinning this effect and conditions for its existence. We show that self-organized pacemakers drift throughout the medium to approach attractors with locations that depend on the size of the medium, and on the location of the initial stimulus.

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  • Received 27 January 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.258104

©2005 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

A. V. Panfilov and R. H. Keldermann

  • Theoretical Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CH, The Netherlands

M. P. Nash

  • Bioengineering Institute and Department of Engineering Science, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand

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Issue

Vol. 95, Iss. 25 — 16 December 2005

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