Brownian dynamics in Fourier space: Membrane simulations over long length and time scales

A simulation algorithm for elastic membrane sheets is presented. Overdamped stochastic dynamics including hydrodynamic coupling to surrounding solvent and arbitrary external forces are generated by employing Fourier modes of the sheet as the primary dynamic variables. Simulations over the micron length scale and second time scale are easily achieved. The dynamics of a lipid bilayer attached to an underlying network of cytoskeletal filaments is used to estimate the diffusion constant of membrane-bound proteins on the surface of the red blood cell.