A minimal model of elastic instabilities in biological filament bundles

Panter, Jack; Kusumaatmaja, Halim; Prior, Chris

Abstract

We present a model of a system of elastic fibres which exhibits complex, coupled, nonlinear deformations via a connecting elastic spring network. This model can capture physically observed deformations such as global buckling, pinching and internal collapse. We explore the transitions between these deformation modes numerically, using an energy minimization approach, highlighting how supported environments, or stiff outer sheath structures, favour internal structural collapse over global deformation. We then derive a novel analytic buckling criterion for the internal collapse of the system, a mode of structural collapse pertinent in many biological filament bundles such as the optic nerve bundle and microtubule bundles involved in cell abscission.

Citation

Panter, J., Kusumaatmaja, H., & Prior, C. (2022). A minimal model of elastic instabilities in biological filament bundles. Journal of the Royal Society. Interface, 19(194), Article 20220287. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2022.0287

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 22, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Sep 21, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Deposit Date: Oct 22, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 24, 2022
• Journal: Journal of the Royal Society, Interface
• Print ISSN: 1742-5689
• Electronic ISSN: 1742-5662
• Publisher: The Royal Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 194
• Article Number: 20220287
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2022.0287
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1188228