Mechanical prions as self-assembling microstructures

Prions are misfolded proteins that transmit their structural arrangement to neighboring proteins. In biological systems, prion dynamics produce complex functional outcomes, ranging from useful long-term memory formation to harmful spongiform encephalopathies. Yet, a richer understanding of prion dynamics has been hampered by the fact that few computational models exist that allow for experimental design, hypothesis testing, and control. Here, we identify essential prionic properties and present a biologically inspired model of prions using simple mechanical structures capable of undergoing complex conformational change. We demonstrate the utility of our approach by designing a prototypical mechanical prion and validating its properties experimentally. Our work provides a design framework for harnessing and manipulating prionic properties in natural and artificial systems.