Title of Work
Mechanics of microtubules
Document Type
Article
Publication/Presentation Date
January 2010
Volume
43
Issue
1
First Page
29
Last Page
30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.09.005
Abstract
Microtubules are rigid cytoskeletal filaments, and their mechanics affect cell morphology and cellular processes. For instance, microtubules for the support structures for extended morphologies, such as axons and cilia. Further, microtubules act as tension rods to pull apart chromosomes during cellular division. Unlike other cytoskeletal filaments (e.g., actin) that work as large networks, microtubules work individually or in small groups, so their individual mechanical properties are quite important to their cellular function. In this review, we explore the past work on the mechanics of individual microtubules, which have been studied for over a quarter of a century. We also present some prospective on future endeavors to determine the molecular mechanisms that control microtubule rigidity.
Recommended Citation
Hawkins, Taviare, "Mechanics of microtubules" (2010). Physics Faculty Scholarship. 11.
https://sophia.stkate.edu/physics_fac/11