Continuous symmetry breaking and complexity of biological membranes

Kralj, Samo (author), Kralj-Iglič, Veronika (author), Iglič, Aleš (author)

We consider domain-type patterns in biological membranes that possess an in-plane membrane order. Domains are inseparably linked to topological defects, and many features related to them can be guessed based on universal topological arguments. However, much more complex membrane patterns are typically observed. As possible generators of such configurations, we analyze two relatively simple and universal phenomena. Both are based on continuous symmetry breaking (CSB), which manifests ubiquitously in all branches of physics. We present the Imry–Ma argument which, in addition to CSB, requests the presence of uncorrelated random-field-type disorder. Next, we discuss the Kibble–Zurek mechanism. In addition to CSB it considers dynamical slowing when a relevant phase transition is approached. These approaches were originally introduced in magnetism and cosmology, respectively. We adapt them to effectively two-dimensional membranes and discuss their potential role in membrane structure formation.

• Language: English
• Keywords: domains, continuous symmetry breaking, topological defects, disorder
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: ZF - Faculty of Health Sciences; FE - Faculty of Electrical Engineering
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 20.08.2025
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 18 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 15, iss. 8, art. 737
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-171237
• UDC: 577
• ISSN on article: 2073-4352
• DOI: 10.3390/cryst15080737
• COBISS.SI-ID: 246093315
• Publication date in RUL: 20.08.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Crystals
• Shortened title: Crystals
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2073-4352
• COBISS.SI-ID: 36677893

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.