Finite-element analysis of geometrical factors in micro-indentation of pollen tubes

Micro-indentation is a new experimental approach to assess physical cellular properties. Here we attempt to quantify the contribution of geometrical parameters to a cylindrical plant cell's resistance to lateral deformation. This information is important to correctly interpret data obtained fro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biomechanics and modeling in mechanobiology 2006-11, Vol.5 (4), p.227-236
Main Authors: Bolduc, J-E, Lewis, L J, Aubin, C-E, Geitmann, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cells
Elasticity
Finite Element Analysis
Hardness Tests - methods
Models, Biological
Pollen
Pollen Tube - cytology
Solanum - cytology
Space life sciences
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Summary:Micro-indentation is a new experimental approach to assess physical cellular properties. Here we attempt to quantify the contribution of geometrical parameters to a cylindrical plant cell's resistance to lateral deformation. This information is important to correctly interpret data obtained from experiments using the device, such as the local cellular stiffness in pollen tubes. We built a simple finite-element model of the micro-indentation interacting partners - micro-indenter, cell (pollen tube), and underlying substratum, that allowed us to manipulate geometric variables, such as geometry of the cell, cell radius, thickness of the cell wall and radius of the indenting stylus. Performing indentation experiments on this theoretical model demonstrates that all four parameters influence stiffness measurement and can therefore not be neglected in the interpretation of micro-indentation data.
ISSN:1617-7959
1617-7940
DOI:10.1007/s10237-005-0010-1