Study on single molecule mechanobiology of microtubule

目前的研究假设微管是机械应力的机械换能器。在这项研究中，将对这一问题有一个全面的了解。去年，通过使用动蛋白证实了微管上的机械应力对货物运输的调节是一种不依赖于马达蛋白的普遍现象。在固定在可伸缩衬底上的微管上实现了由动蛋白驱动的荧光量子点的传输。利用自行研制的微拉伸室，通过施加压缩应变或拉应变，系统地评价了机械应力对货物运输的影响。对荧光显微镜观察得到的运行长度、速度、停顿频率等参数进行了分析。

The current research hypothesizes that microtubules are mechanotransducers of mechanical stress. In this study, a comprehensive understanding of the issue will be made. Last year the modulation of cargo transport in response to mechanical stress on the microtubule is a universal phenomenon independent of the motor protein by using kinesin was verified. Kinesin-driven transport of fluorescent quantum dots was carried out on microtubules fixed on a stretchable substrate. The effect of the mechanical stress on the cargo transport was systematically evaluated by applying compressive strain or tensile strain using the microstretcher chamber developed previously. Parameter analysis e.g., run length, velocities, pause frequencies, etc., from the fluorescence microscopy observation was done.