The physics of fibril formation
The theoretical scheme developed by Sasha Semenov and Irina Nrykova at Leeds to explain the self-assembly of rod-like peptide molecules. Single helix-shaped molecules transform under thermal excitation into rods, which then self-assemble into single flexible tapes (a).
Attraction between the tapes can cause them to double (b), then stack into twisted fibrils (c). The fibrils then aggregate further to form fibres (d). The electron micrographs show examples of these structures in an experimental system. (Picture credit: Mark Bell and Neville Boden/Leeds University)