Simulation and Sensitivity Analysis of Microtubule-Based Biomechanical Mass Detector

The microtubule is biologically the most rigid filament that is so critical to the cytoskeleton system. It is significant to study the mass sensitivity of microtubule in order to understand biophysical behaviors, such as the influence of kinesin and dynein moving along microtubules. In this research, the sensitivity of mass detector using individual microtubule is first studied. The frequency shifting of the detector due to mass loads is simulated. The influences of mass load positions and boundary conditions on the mass sensitivity are evaluated. It is predicted in this research that the mass sensitivity of a 1 mu m microtubules-based mass detector could reach 10(-17) g. Results also show that the resonant frequency decreases logarithmic linearly with the increase of the attached mass regardless of the microtubule length and the position of mass load. Moreover, the sensitivity of resonant frequency shift to the microtubule length is also analyzed.