| 研究実績の概要 |
In the first year of this project I developed a computer controlled mechanical chamber system. Using this mechanical chamber system I performed the preliminary investigation to understand the response of microtubules to compression stress. Microtubules were mechanically deformed upon application of compression stress which was manifested by their buckling. In the last year of this project, I have performed detail investigation to unravel the effect of surrounding elastic medium of microtubules on their buckling. I demonstrated compression test of microtubules by placing them on PDMS that served as an elastic medium, like the cytoplasm in cells. A microtubule associated protein kinesin was used an anchor to fix the microtubules on PDMS. By varying the density of kinesins on PDMS I was able to tune the extent of interaction of microtubules with the PDMS. Interaction of microtubules with surrounding elastic medium is found to have a profound effect on their mechanical deformation under compression stress. The mode of buckling of microtubules is directly governed by the interaction of microtubules with the elastic medium. Moreover, I performed in silico investigations to understand the role of elastic medium on buckling of microtubules. The results of the in silico study further strengthened the outcome of the experiments.
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