Engineering Mechanics

Proceedings Vol. 11 (2005)

ENGINEERING MECHANICS 2005

Copyright © 2005 Institute of Mechanics of Solids, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Bruno University of Technology, Brno

 

Lebiš R., Burša J.
pages 195 - +8p., full text

Mechanical stimuli represent a very important factor influencing cellular processes and functions. The knowledge about mechanical properties of cells is necessary for understanding how cells response to mechanical load. A 3D finite element model of adherent cell for computational simulation of indentation test is presented in this paper. Our model considers all significant structural cellular components, i.e. actin cortex, deep cytoskeleton, cytoplasma and nucleus. The geometry model is based on experimental observations of a spreading fibroblast. Actin cortex was modelled as a thin membrane meshed with 4-node shell elements, cytoplasma and nucleus was modelled as linear isotropic homogeneous continuum, meshed with 8-node hexahedral solid elements and deep cytoskeleton was created as a six-struts tensegrity structure, consisting of six compression struts and twenty four tension cables, representing microtubules and microfilaments, respectively. We carried out a sensitivity analysis of influence of each cellular component on results of the computational simulation. Young´s modulus of each cellular component was alternated in the range 50% - 200% of original values.

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