Light-induced assembly and repeatable actuation in Ca²⁺-driven chemomechanical protein networks.

Abstract

Programming rapid, repeatable motions in soft materials has remained a challenge in active matter and biomimetic design. Here, we present a light-controlled chemomechanical network based on Tetrahymena thermophila calcium-binding protein 2 (Tcb2), a Ca²⁺-sensitive contractile protein. These networks-driven by Ca²⁺-triggered structural rearrangements-exhibit dynamic self-assembly, spatiotemporal growth, and contraction rates comparable to actomyosin systems. By coupling light-sensitive chelators for optically triggered Ca²⁺ release, we achieve precise growth and repeatable mechanical contractility of Tcb2 networks, revealing emergent phenomena such as boundary-localized active regions and density gradient-driven reversals in motion. A coupled reaction-diffusion and elastic model explains these dynamics, highlighting the interplay between chemical network assembly and mechanical response. We further demonstrate active transport of particles via network-mediated forces in vitro and implement reinforcement learning to program seconds-scale spatiotemporal actuation in silico. These results establish a platform for designing responsive active materials with rapid chemomechanical dynamics and tunable optical control, with applications in synthetic cells, sub-cellular force generation, and programmable biomaterials.