The directed, head-to-tail self-assembly of microtubule filaments may be generalized in the context of Janus colloidal rods. Specifically, their assembly at the tens of micron-length scale involves a careful balance… Click to show full abstract
The directed, head-to-tail self-assembly of microtubule filaments may be generalized in the context of Janus colloidal rods. Specifically, their assembly at the tens of micron-length scale involves a careful balance between long-range electrostatic repulsion and short-range attractive forces. Here we show that the addition of counterion salts increases the rate of directed assembly by screening the electrostatic forces and enhancing the effectiveness of short-range interactions at the microtubule ends.
               
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