Biological applications of the dynamics of twisted elastic rods

A numerical algorithm for the three-dimensional dynamical viscous Kirchhoff rod model is presented. The algorithm includes proscribed extension and contact forces. Numerical results for several problems of biological significance are given, including dynamics of the writhing (or supercoiling) instability in closed rods and the approach to stable equilibria, and the dynamics and instability of open rods, particularly with regards to the self-assembly behavior of fibril structures composed of the bacteria bacillus subtilis. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.