Mechanics Promotes Coherence in Heterogeneous Active Media
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 248401 – Published 11 December, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/8gqg-rsrl
Abstract
Synchronization of activity among myocytes constituting vital organs, e.g., the heart, is crucial for physiological functions. Self-organized coordination in such heterogeneous ensemble of excitable and oscillatory cells is therefore of clinical importance. We show by varying the strength of intercellular coupling and the electrophysiological diversity, a wide range of collective behavior emerges including clusters of synchronized activity. Strikingly, stretch-activated currents allow waves of mechanical deformation to alter the activity of neighboring cells, promoting robust global coherence.
