In recent years, the study of phenomena, although already known, has been considered using new approaches. Studying and researching phenomena based on new approaches will bring new findings and subsequently new applications. In the present study, finite element simulation is utilized to propose a structural mechanics mode, in order to investigate the mechanical properties and mechanical behavior of microtubules. The buckling of microtubules has also been considered as an innovation in this study by using the proposed structural mechanics model. Moreover, Kinesin stepping on the microtubule is simulated, as well. Structural mechanics modeling is able to overcome the inherent limitations of these modelings by transferring the governing equations of the continuum mechanics to small scales such as nano, in addition to the computational advantages over the existing modeling at this scale. The elasticity modules of microtubules in this study obtained 0.76 GPa, which is 2% different from the reported results of experimental studies based on biological resources. Also, the amount of bending stiffness obtained from this study differs only 0.7% from the results reported from experimental research based on biological resources. In the buckling simulations, the five first mode shapes are investigated and, in all cases the mechanical properties of the microtubule filament are considered and eva‎luated with the length. After modeling of Kinesin stepping on microtubule, it was found that a microtubule filament is much stronger than that of being ruptured by kinesin stepping with cargo or by accumulation of these molecular motors on microtubule. Simulation outcomes show that for the loading cases which was studied, the proposed structural mechanics model is able to closely reproduce the mechanical behavior of a microtubule, compared with existing experimental results.

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محمود كدخدايي، مهدي جوانبخت