Microtubules (MT) are of great engineering importance due to their potential applications as sensors, actuators, drug delivery, and others. The MT properties/mechanics are greatly affected by their biomechanical envir...Microtubules (MT) are of great engineering importance due to their potential applications as sensors, actuators, drug delivery, and others. The MT properties/mechanics are greatly affected by their biomechanical environment and it is important to understand their biological function. Although microtubule mechanics has been extensively studied statically, very limited studies are devoted to the biomechanical properties of microtubule undergoing deformation and vibration. In this study, we investigate the biomechanical properties of the microtubule under bending deformation and free vibration using 3D finite element analysis. Results of force-deformation and vibration frequencies and mode shapes obtained from the finite element analysis are presented. The results indicate that the force-deformation characteristics vary with time/phases and become non-linear at higher time intervals. The modes of MT vibration and frequencies are in the GHz range and higher modes will involve combined bending, torsion and axial deformations. These higher modes and shapes change their deformation which might have implications for physiological and biological behavior, especially for sensing and actuation and communication to cells. The bending force-deformation characteristics and vibration modes and frequencies should help further understand the biomechanical properties of self-assembled microtubules.展开更多
The microtubule self-assembly process involves the basic building blocks, alpha and beta tubulins which spontaneously bind to one another through polymerization and under controlled intracellular conditions form proto...The microtubule self-assembly process involves the basic building blocks, alpha and beta tubulins which spontaneously bind to one another through polymerization and under controlled intracellular conditions form protofilaments which in turn assemble into microtubules. The mechanical properties of the self-assembled protofilaments play an important role in formation of the microtubules. In this study, we investigate the mechanical properties of the experimentally self-assembled protofilaments (straight and curved) for under different loadings through 3D finite element analysis. Results of force-deformation and stiffness values obtained from the finite element analysis are presented. The results indicate that the stiffness and maximum stress properties change with varying protofilamant curvature. These force-deformation behaviors and stress distributions should help further understand the contribution of protofilaments mechanical properties in forming self-assembled microtubules.展开更多
文摘Microtubules (MT) are of great engineering importance due to their potential applications as sensors, actuators, drug delivery, and others. The MT properties/mechanics are greatly affected by their biomechanical environment and it is important to understand their biological function. Although microtubule mechanics has been extensively studied statically, very limited studies are devoted to the biomechanical properties of microtubule undergoing deformation and vibration. In this study, we investigate the biomechanical properties of the microtubule under bending deformation and free vibration using 3D finite element analysis. Results of force-deformation and vibration frequencies and mode shapes obtained from the finite element analysis are presented. The results indicate that the force-deformation characteristics vary with time/phases and become non-linear at higher time intervals. The modes of MT vibration and frequencies are in the GHz range and higher modes will involve combined bending, torsion and axial deformations. These higher modes and shapes change their deformation which might have implications for physiological and biological behavior, especially for sensing and actuation and communication to cells. The bending force-deformation characteristics and vibration modes and frequencies should help further understand the biomechanical properties of self-assembled microtubules.
文摘The microtubule self-assembly process involves the basic building blocks, alpha and beta tubulins which spontaneously bind to one another through polymerization and under controlled intracellular conditions form protofilaments which in turn assemble into microtubules. The mechanical properties of the self-assembled protofilaments play an important role in formation of the microtubules. In this study, we investigate the mechanical properties of the experimentally self-assembled protofilaments (straight and curved) for under different loadings through 3D finite element analysis. Results of force-deformation and stiffness values obtained from the finite element analysis are presented. The results indicate that the stiffness and maximum stress properties change with varying protofilamant curvature. These force-deformation behaviors and stress distributions should help further understand the contribution of protofilaments mechanical properties in forming self-assembled microtubules.
