IOP Publishing, New Journal of Physics, 11(9), p. 431-431, 2007
DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/9/11/431
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Actin dynamics are responsible for cell protrusion and certain intracellular movements. The transient attachment of the actin filaments to a moving surface generates a friction force that resists the movement. We probe here the dynamics of these attachments by inducing a stick-slip behavior via micromanipulation of a growing actin comet. We show that general principles of adhesion and friction can explain our observations.