Dynamic strength of adhesion molecules: Role of rebinding and self-consistent rates

The dynamical strength of adhesion molecules under a time-dependent force is studied theoretically using analytical and numerical methods. On- and off-rates are calculated self-consistently using the full potential rather than the usual linear approximation. Rebinding events lead to a finite strength at zero loading rate with a subsequent linear increase with loading rate. In the adjacent non-linear regime, the dynamical strength increases more strongly than logarithmically with effective exponents up to about 1/2.