Broedersz, Chase P.Depken, MartinYao, Norman Y.Pollak, Martin R.Weitz, David A.MacKintosh, Frederick C.2019-10-092010Broedersz, Chase P., Martin Depken, Norman Y. Yao, Martin R. Pollak, David A. Weitz, and Frederick C. MacKintosh. 2010. “Cross-Link-Governed Dynamics of Biopolymer Networks.” Physical Review Letters105 (23): 238101. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.238101.0031-90071079-71141092-0145http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:41511236Recent experiments show that networks of stiff biopolymers cross-linked by transient linker proteins exhibit complex stress relaxation, enabling network flow at long times. We present a model for the dynamics controlled by cross-links in such networks. We show that a single microscopic time scale for cross-linker unbinding leads to a broad spectrum of macroscopic relaxation times and a shear modulus G similar to omega(1/2) for low frequencies omega. This model quantitatively describes the measured rheology of actin networks cross-linked with alpha-actinin-4 over more than four decades in frequency.en-USJournal Article2019-10-0910.1103/PhysRevLett.105.238101