  Prions are misfolded proteins that transmit their structural arrangement to
neighboring proteins. In biological systems, prion dynamics can produce a
variety of complex functional outcomes. Yet, an understanding of prionic causes
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.
