Buckling Behaviour of Protein Microtubules

Abstract

Size effects have a crucial role to play in the statics and dynamics of various ultra-small structures [1-6]. On the other hand, the mechanics of nanostructures [7-14] and microstructures [15-26] is of high importance due to their applications in different nanomechanical and micromechanical systems such as Nano sensors and nanoactuators. Therefore, developing sizedependent mathematical frameworks for analyzing the statics and dynamics of both nanostructures and microstructures would provide a useful tool in nanoengineering and microengineering. Protein microtubules are one of the most important parts of living cells, which participate in many processes inside cells [27,28]. For instance, in the process of mitosis, microtubules help chromosomes to separate and migrate into two opposite positions. In addition, these filaments provide a reliable pathway for protein transportation inside cells. In these processes, microtubules are likely to be subject to various loads such as axial compression. In this study, the buckling instability of protein microtubules under axial compressive loads is investigated. Different size-dependent models of these small-scale structures are also reviewed.